New vision aims to establish the Perth College

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PERTH, ON — Concerned residents, students, alumni, and local community leaders have launched a grassroots campaign to realize a new vision for Algonquin College’s Perth Campus rather than see it sold for private development.

Algonquin College is exiting the campus in order for it to be sold by summer 2026. This ends decades of skilled trades training and post-secondary education in Lanark County.

“The Perth Campus has been a vital part of our community since 1970. It provides the only post-secondary education in Lanark County, contributing to our local culture and economy,” said Chris Hahn, former Dean of the Campus and an advocate for the Save Perth College campaign.

“The vision to create the Perth College would maintain this one-of-a-kind, purpose-built facility for heritage craft training in masonry and carpentry with a nation-wide reputation. This would keep opportunities for our young people, strengthen our local economy and maintain and even enhance its use as a unique future pipeline of talent for the skilled trades.”

As recently as 2009, the federal and provincial governments recognized the need for the enhancement of heritage trades in Perth, committing nearly $10M of taxpayers’ money for an expansion of the Perth Campus to ensure its long-term future.

Many community members feel that such a recent critical investment of local tax dollars can and should remain in the community, working its benefits for the local economy and the nation’s heritage infrastructure.

Life-long Lanark County resident and former Shopify COO, Toby Shannan, has put forward a proposal to preserve and transform the campus into a new, non-profit centre for heritage construction and skilled trades education – the Perth College.

The proposal is for Algonquin College and the provincial government to work with the community and with Mr. Shannan to realize this new vision for the Perth College.

Residents and friends of the Perth Campus can visit this website https://saveperthcollege.ca/ and are encouraged to contact the Ford Government to encourage it to support Mr. Shannan’s proposal.

“The college is an important asset for the region, for local trades and for the community at large,” stated Andy Cockburn, Past-President of the Lanark-Leeds Home Builders’ Association, former student and professor at the Campus, and an advocate for the campaign.

“For over 40 years, the Perth Campus has been a hub for Heritage and Construction trades training, attracting students from all over Canada, the United States and the world. The very worthy goal of saving the campus and in keeping skilled trades education alive and thriving in Perth is paramount. Whatever energies I can dedicate to this effort, I’ll happily do that.”

For more information, please contact: info@saveperthcollege.ca