Nipissing University celebrated the grand opening of its new outdoor classroom, a four-season learning and gathering space that the school says brings education beyond traditional classroom walls. Designed to support academic, cultural and community programming, the Outdoor Classroom is intended to enrich learning, strengthen community connections and deepen engagement with the natural environment. A shared space Kevin Wamsley, Nipissing University’s president and vice-chancellor, told media on Monday that the space will operate on a booking basis rather than hosting fully outdoor classes. “Hypothetically, any program could bring a class out here and so they’re competing for space,” he said. “There won’t be any classes that are completely taught out here. So, it’ll be on a booking basis.” Funded by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the Nipissing University Alumni Advisory Board and the university itself, the classroom is located steps away from the Nipissing University Student Centre. Dreamt of years ago, the outdoor classroom was built with all Canadian wood at a cost of $1 million. Unique learning environment Mike DeGagne, the former Nipissing University president and vice-chancellor, said the space offers students something they cannot get indoors. “They’ll (students) see something that’s a little different, a little unique. We can show them all the indoor classrooms we want and all the safe, dry, warm spaces that we have in the building,” he said. “But to come out here and be a part of nature and make that a part of your education, I think, is very special.” The outdoor classroom can be accessed directly from Monastery Road or through the pedestrian pathway beside the student centre patio and is meant for reflection and reflective learning while connecting with the community and the land. Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said the province’s investment will benefit students. “We’re pleased that the Ontario government, through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, invested $500,000 in Nipissing University’s outdoor classroom. Having had the opportunity to visit this site, it’s clear that students will benefit from experiential learning in a serene space that engages their senses throughout the seasons that Northern Ontario offers and provides a venue for Indigenous land-based learning,” he said in a news release. Design and features Designed and constructed by North Bay firms Mitchell Jensen Architects and Venasse Building Group, the heavy timber structure features 13 distinct column and beam arrangements, making every viewing angle of the classroom unique. The steel oculus at the top allows rain and snow to enter the structure, reconnecting visitors to the natural environment while they learn and gather under the protection of the roof. The space also includes a propane fire table, with plans for a traditional outdoor fire pit to be constructed east of the entrance. The alumni advisory board contributed $100,000 to the project, recognizing the lasting impact the space would have on future generations of students. “As alumni, we know how deeply campus experiences can shape a student’s journey. We are proud to support a project that will create meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and personal growth for generations of Nipissing students,” said board president Laurel Muldoon Community bookings The Outdoor Classroom will soon be available for external community bookings through the university’s Campus Sales and Services team, and the university hopes it will be used as a hub for events such as a city council meeting or a North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce meeting. For information about bookings, email the university.
