Waterford Township Board of Trustees approves purchase of portion of OCC’s Highland Lakes campus

At its May 28 meeting, the Waterford Township Board of Trustees approved the Township’s proposed purchase of the southern portion of Oakland Community College’s Highland Lakes campus to repurpose for a future recreation and community center. The OCC Board of Trustees had approved the sale of the property to Waterford Township at its May 21 meeting.

Highland Lakes
Woodland Hall on OCC's Highland Lakes campus.

The Township has agreed to purchase the 51-acres of the southern portion of OCC’s Highland Lakes campus for $2.8 million. The campus islocated at 7350 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford, Mich. 48327.  The sale is contingent on Waterford Township passing a bond proposal regarding the purchase of the property that will be on the Nov. 5 ballot. 

“Waterford Township has identified a useful need for the southern portion of the OCC Highland Lakes Campus, and is working diligently toward a solution that will be a benefit to the Township and our residents,” said Waterford Township Supervisor Gary Wall. 

OCC’s Highland Lakes campus’ health sciences programs are planned to move to its Orchard Ridge campus in Farmington Hills in Fall 2026. The Orchard Ridge campus will house all of the College’s health sciences disciplines in a new, state-of-the-art building, to further collaboration among health science faculty, students and industry partners.

“OCC supports the Township’s efforts as they explore the feasibility of a future recreation and community center. The College’s priority is for the Highland Lakes property to continue to provide great community value, enhance quality of life and meet the needs of local residents,” said OCC Chancellor Peter Provenzano, Jr. 

Provenzano added that at this time, OCC is not considering other offers in order to stay focused on this priority.

About Waterford Township

Waterford Township comprises 35.3 square miles of land in the geographic center of Oakland County. One of Waterford Township’s most appealing features is its abundance of lakes and recreational land. The Township provides quality public services to its approximately 72,800 residents and over 1,245 businesses.   Waterford’s Parks and Recreation Department operates and maintains 16 parks and facilities spanning over 850 acres and annually provides more than 500 multigenerational programs and sponsors 40 annual events attended by more than 10,000 individuals.   The Township offers a unique destination in Southeast Michigan.  Learn more at https://waterfordmi.gov/

About OCC       

Oakland Community College offers nearly 100 degrees and certificates programs with the resources students need to be successful and advance our community. As a top transfer institution, OCC offers one of the state’s most affordable tuition rates and flexibility in scheduling with face-to-face and online options. The College is nationally recognized for its high-demand career training with expert faculty in their fields. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. Learn more at  oaklandcc.edu. 

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