Laurier consultant seeks community input to inform planning for One Market

April 16, 2020
For Immediate Release

Brantford – With approximately 300,000 square feet of space, the possibilities for Wilfrid Laurier University’s One Market building are seemingly endless. As the university works to refine its plans for the former shopping mall, it is turning to the local community for insights.

Two Igloos, a strategic management consulting firm, is conducting research on the university’s behalf. They are asking Brantford business owners and area residents to share their feedback through an online survey. The goal of the survey is to identify the types of offerings that would be of value for the university and for the community at large.

“We have established our overarching vision for the physical structure and incremental renovations have already begun,” said Heidi Northwood, senior executive officer of Laurier’s Brantford campus. “This survey will help us understand the types of programming and services that might draw community members into the One Market building, adding more animation, energy and foot traffic in the core. We want to understand what the community values and what it needs.”

“We’re pleased to be working with Laurier on this initiative,” said Two Igloos co-founder Cameron Maxwell (Laurier HBBA ‘05). “The successful partnership between the campus and the city has been built on community collaboration. We’re here to ensure that the community’s voice is heard and that it informs future planning for One Market in a meaningful way.”

Like other universities in Canada, Laurier has suspended in-person activities in response to the COVID-19 global health crisis. However, operations continue. “We recognize that we are navigating some challenging days,” said Northwood. “We’re grateful to be able to continue this research and planning phase for One Market remotely and be ready to help the community get back on its feet once we have passed this difficult time.”

The questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and submissions are confidential. Those who complete the survey may enter for a chance to win one of five $50 prizes or a single prize of $750. The survey link closes on April 27, 2020 at 9 p.m. A variation of the survey will be emailed directly to Laurier students as well.