Conestoga College looking for development partner to complete Kitchener student housing project
Posted Jun 26, 2026 05:25:54 AM.
Last Updated Jun 26, 2026 11:02:31 AM.
Conestoga College is looking for investment partners to help complete the development of a building in downtown Kitchener that it had planned to turn into student housing.
According to Leopold Koff, president of OPSEU Local 237 representing faculty at the college, Conestoga is looking for a partner that would be willing to invest between $12 million and $18 million to complete the development of the building that was purchased in 2023.
“Conestoga has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its property at 22 Frederick St. in Kitchener to identify a joint-venture redevelopment partner,” reads a message that was included in a newsletter to college staff. “The RFP builds on the Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) issued in February, which confirmed strong market interest in a collaborative redevelopment opportunity.”
“This next phase will identify a partner capable of delivering a project aligned with municipal priorities, community objectives and evolving market demand. Further updates will be shared when available.”
When the college purchased the building, the number of students enrolling at the college from out of the country was on the rise; however, that trend has dropped off significantly since the federal government imposed a cap on international student enrolment.
“They’re looking for any ideas that would get them out of the situation they’re in because of previous executives that were opportunistic, but not strategic thinkers,” said Koff.
He added that finding a development partner is a way to “minimize the damage” for the college, adding that he doesn’t believe that the school would be able to recoup the money it spent on the building if it decided to sell instead.
“Now the house of cards has collapsed, and it’s an expensive house of cards,” said Koff. “They’ve now got to figure out what to do with all these assets, and the ongoing costs to maintain them.”
For now, further layoffs to staff at the college appear to be on hold, however, hundreds of staff have been laid off or made redundant since the federal government implemented caps on international student enrolment.
The college is also reportedly searching for a development partner in Milton in order to extend the school’s reach into that community.
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