A small group recently gathered at Holland College’s Prince of Wales Campus to honour past president Dr. Brian McMillan with the naming of the McMillan Centre for Community Engagement. Dr. McMillan was the college’s fifth president, serving from 2005 to 2018.

Located on the Prince of Wales Campus, the McMillan Centre for Community Engagement is a multi-use event centre that offers fitness and recreation, wellness and academic programming, and meeting spaces for business, industry, and community. It is also home of the Holland Hurricanes, the college’s varsity athletics program. The building was constructed during an ambitious campus redevelopment project and was one of the many undertakings by the college during Dr. McMillan’s presidency. Current president Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald said the naming of the building was a fitting tribute. 

“Brian provided strong leadership and direction in all aspects of the college’s growth during his 13.5 years as president,” he said. “Holland College and the Holland College Foundation are proud to commemorate his significant contribution with the naming of the McMillan Centre for Community Engagement. His dedication and commitment to our college, our students, and to the greater community has left a remarkable legacy.” 

Penny Walsh McGuire, chair of the Holland College Board of Governors, agreed. 

“Brian’s contributions to the sustainability of Holland College have been invaluable. The relationships he forged on behalf of the college with businesses, industries, and governmental partners on all levels have provided a strong foundation upon which the college continues to build,” she said, speaking via video conferencing at the event. “His personal relationships with staff, students, and members of the community have created deep and abiding ties.” 

Dr. McMillan said he is honoured and humbled. 

"I am deeply touched by the naming of this building and by the sentiment behind it. My years at Holland College were very rewarding, and I have many fond memories of my time here, which I will cherish forever." 

The McMillan Centre for Community Engagement features a 9,400 sq-ft gym, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a walking track, a fitness studio, meeting rooms, and classrooms. In addition to providing a site for academic programming and student engagement, the building offers a range of services to residents of the city such as fitness and dance classes, summer camps, and day camps for young people. 

In this picture: (Left to Right) Gordon MacInnis, vice chair of the Holland College Board of Governors; Kent Scales, chair of the Holland College Foundation Board of Directors; Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, president of Holland College; Dr. Brian McMillan, former president of Holland College; and Premier Dennis King in front of the newly-named McMillan Centre for Community Engagement.