Doors Open takes place every September and allows the public to explore noteworthy buildings and heritage sites in Waterloo Region free of charge. This year, Conestoga’s Cambridge campus has been selected as one of the technology-related venues open to reflect the 2016 theme: Into Science + Tech.
Conestoga College's Cambridge campus will be open to the public to tour as part of Doors Open Waterloo Region.
The Cambridge campus, home to Conestoga’s School of Engineering and Information Technology, welcomed its first cohort of students in 2011. The 260,000 square-foot building houses innovative technology labs, a welding shop and the Craig Richardson Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT). It was built with a focus on the sustainable use of energy and materials to reduce waste and carbon, and was awarded LEED silver certification by the Canada Green Building Council.
The technology labs at the campus facilitate classes for a broad range of Engineering diploma and degree programs: Conestoga is the only college in Ontario and the second Institute of Technology in Canada to offer accredited Engineering degrees. Labs also accommodate Conestoga’s Centre for Smart Manufacturing - a regional hub for applied research to support small and medium-sized enterprises - and will be used by Conestoga’s NSERC Industrial Research Chair for Colleges to conduct e-waste recycling research.
The IFPT features an 8,000 square-foot plant with processing lines for beverages, baked goods and vegetables, as well as a food testing laboratory. The facility is the only one its kind in Canada and supports one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the province. Training opportunities are provided in a variety of areas including food safety, food processing techniques, packaging and plant supervision.
During the year the campus also hosts programs for young technology enthusiasts. Jill of all Trades, Go Eng Girl and Go Code Girl introduce girls to careers in technology and the trades. Throughout July and August the campus welcomes hundreds of children for various science and math day camps.
Free guided tours of the campus, located at 850 Fountain St. South, will be available between 10 AM and 5 PM on Saturday, September 17. Visit Doors Open for more event information.