Image Credit: CFJC Today / File

By Dave Barry

Budget Cuts

TRU closing Clearwater Regional Centre

Nov 30, 2020 | 6:00 AM

CLEARWATER – A move Thompson Rivers University says is being done to save money, is being seen differently in the community of Clearwater. Recently the institution announced it is closing its Regional Centre in the North Thompson community, 120 km north of Kamloops.

In an emailed statement to CFJC Today, TRU says it has given notice to the Yellowhead Community Services Society that it is ending the lease on its learning centre facility. “Enrolment at the Clearwater centre has gone from 168 in 2018-2019 to 9 students in 2020-2021. As a result, the leased facility is unused,” says the statement.

However, the Mayor of Clearwater and District says TRU began withdrawing educational support to the region years ago. “TRU for multiple years, has basically shrunk away from Clearwater,” says Merlin Blackwell. “When their last coordinator retired in 2017, they amalgamated the position with a Barriere – Kamloops position. The coordinator was located elsewhere and had multiple areas that she looked after.” He added, “and the service has declined since then.”

TRU says the COVID-19 pandemic is putting budget pressure on the school. The university has announced layoffs earlier this year. But Blackwell doesn’t buy it. “We feel COVID is just an excuse to do a pullout that they pretty much have been headed to for a long time,” said Blackwell.

TRU offered a number of courses, including business, computer, and first aid programs at the Clearwater Regional Centre. It says it will continue to offer educational programming to residents through virtual courses online. Blackwell sees it as a missed opportunity for the school. “We really haven’t seen TRU put in any effort to make these programs work,” he said.

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And on top of the disappointment of seeing his community lose valuable educational opportunities, Blackwell felt the entire process was disrespectful to the region. “I was blindsided by this,” he said. “There was absolutely no consultation with local government by TRU with this decision. I found out at a community meeting to deal with mill closures. It was an off-hand comment – “oh by the way TRU is pulling out of Clearwater.””