Georgian College and Oro Station partnership gathers speed
June 23, 2023
Georgian College and Oro Station are moving forward in their partnership to help shape the future of the automotive industry. The two partners have signed a Letter of Intent to begin planning for future academic programming opportunities.
The 300-acre Oro Station automotive complex, next to Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, will feature 500,000 square-feet of industrial space dedicated to automotive research, engineering and development, including a 4.1-kilometre motorsport track. The motor circuit is the first in North America and only third in the world to receive FIA (Federation Internationale d’Automobile) environmental accreditation.
“This is an ideal time for us to begin active planning with Georgian,” says Geoffrey Campbell, Oro Station Managing Partner. “Our FIA accreditation will attract innovative companies focused on a sustainable transportation future and we know that aligns with Georgian’s priorities as well. With phase one site plan approval in place, we’re currently entering phase two of the project design and want to accommodate their academic needs within the innovation park infrastructure.”
Georgian offers an unrivaled experience to students in more than 130 market-driven programs including the renowned Automotive Business School of Canada (ABSC).
“We know our ABSC students and faculty will benefit from this partnership,” says Kevin Weaver, Georgian President and CEO. “We also see opportunities for those in engineering and environmental technology, skilled trades and others to learn on emerging automotive technology and help industry meet research and development goals. This partnership will advance some of our key priorities on quality academic programs, research and environmental action. We’re eager to fully explore the opportunities and look forward to seeing students actively engaged with industry with Oro Station’s Automotive Innovation Park.”
Oro Station has achieved phase one site plan approval, in addition to all other required stakeholder approvals, allowing work to begin on the property. Over the next several months, the construction team will be mobilizing onsite to begin grading and underground servicing work. Concurrently the design team has commenced phase two servicing design including detail infrastructure planning for each of the future tenants. Oro Station has received commitments on 260,000 square feet of the available space at the facility.