Western University downtown space to be a hub for outreach and services to those in need

Western University has announced its downtown space will house 13 new initiatives to foster student relationships with the greater community in London, Ont. 

The school purchased the Green-Swift Building at 450 Talbot Street in October of last year for more than $7 million. The building, which is more than a hundred years old, will undergo significant renovations and is expected to open in the second half of 2023. 

Western President Alan Shepard said enhancing opportunities for community involvement is part of a new chapter for post-secondary and graduate education, and will help the university achieve its current strategic plan.  

"It's part of the education of what does it mean to be a citizen of a community? What does it mean to care about the people and to be engaged in the kind of work that we're going to do here?" said Shepard. 

"I think it's a part of the learning experience for the students, but it's also a part of Western's commitment to London."

The 13 initiatives were selected through a consultation process by Western's faculty, departments and units. The site will have: 

The downtown location will also provide a space for students and non-profit partners to collaborate in a community-engaged learning hub.

"I think we're excited that it allow us to deepen our partnerships, to make this work really visible and accessible to even more community partners, and then encourage other faculty and staff and students to get involved and allow us to strengthen our relationship with the city," said Heather Wakely, Western's team lead of experiential learning.  

"I think we all who have collaborated on this are really excited about the ways that it will take on new shapes and forms that we haven't even imagined yet."

The university said it is in the early stages of renovations and does not yet have an estimated total cost for the construction.