Conestoga College officials reveal the purchase of buildings for student housing

Conestoga College officials announced on Sept. 20 that two buildings have been purchased to accommodate student housing in Waterloo Region.

The first building is a five-storey building at 60 University Avenue East in Waterloo and the second building is a 12-storey building located at 22 Frederick Street in downtown Kitchener which is across from Conestoga’s downtown campus.

The college said plans for the Frederick Street building include a proposed classroom space on the ground floor, a mix of residential student suites and a common lounge area on the second floor, and full residential student suites on floors three through 12, designed in consultation with students to accommodate their diverse needs and preferences.

“Conestoga’s growth over the past several years has been accompanied by significant investments in practices that support the delivery of quality programs and services that enhance the student experience,” said John Tibbits, president of Conestoga College. “As we increase capacity at existing campuses and establish additional locations to address today’s workforce demands, we have also worked hard to ensure the health and safety of our students remains a priority. This includes making investments in housing that is affordable and accessible for our diverse student population.”

In addition to these recent investments, the college has also purchased 135 Darling Street in Brantford to provide housing options for students. The college said it is also exploring the potential for a student residence at the Doon campus. Locations in Milton and Guelph are being explored as well.

“Conestoga College’s newest investment – the purchase of 22 Frederick St. – is a welcome addition to downtown Kitchener and builds on the successful redevelopment of our core,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “With a mix of classrooms and residential student suites, students will no longer have to commute into downtown to attend classes and will be able to take advantage of all the great amenities that downtown Kitchener has to offer.”