Conestoga College coming to downtown Guelph for fall of 2025

Conestoga College announced on Thursday that it would be opening a new campus in downtown Guelph.

The campus will be at 130 Macdonell Street which is where the head office of Co-operators Insurance is located.

“The first phase for us will open in September of 2025,” said Conestoga College President John Tibbits. “We’re going to do a total renovation of the building, it’s obviously not designed for a college at all.”

Eventually, the goal is for 5,000 students to be able to attend the college. Conestoga will also be looking at ways to provide housing for students.

“We have to figure that out. We may have to build some of our own, we may have to work with a developer,” said Tibbits.

In a media release, Conestoga College said the campus will offer state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. The programs offered at the school will include Applied Computer Science, Business, Creative Industries, and Interdisciplinary Studies.

The new campus will support and work with Conestoga’s current Guelph campus located on Speedvale Avenue West. That campus has been operating since 1970 and focuses on automotive power trades among other programs.

In a statement, Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie said he was thrilled about the move.

“Colleges and trades are vital to economic development and community vibrancy,” he said. “For Guelph to land an institution like Conestoga College is an incredible feat. This will reinvigorate our downtown economy, create jobs, and bring students to enjoy our shops, restaurants, and arts and culture venues.”