Today, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and Conestoga President John Tibbits announced that the college will soon open a new 82,000 square foot campus in Downtown Kitchener. The new campus inside Market Square will open in January 2020, initially delivering business programming for approximately 1,000 students.
Additional programming will be introduced in subsequent phases as the campus becomes more established, attracting more students who will further contribute to the city’s diversity and cultural vibrancy, while supporting Kitchener’s local ecosystem.
“Conestoga College has been a key community partner and a leader in polytechnic education since its beginnings in 1967, and we are thrilled to welcome this new growth in our city beginning this January,” said Mayor Vrbanovic. “Locating this campus in the heart of Downtown Kitchener creates fantastic opportunities for welcoming these new students in collaboration with our vibrant business community in the heart of our city. This investment by Conestoga College is great news for Downtown Kitchener and for the local economy as we continue to grow the presence of all 3 post-secondary institutions in our city.”
The new campus will attract new talent, supporting the success of established, start-up and scaling companies within the city. Student placements offered through the program will also connect students with local employment opportunities.
“We’re tremendously pleased to have the opportunity to open this new campus that will expand our capacity to deliver quality programming that prepares students for successful futures and develops new talent to serve the needs of the local workforce,” said President Tibbits. “We look forward to working with our partners to provide students with an outstanding learning experience in Downtown Kitchener.”
The city will work closely with the college to ensure students feel welcome, and have access to the supports, services, amenities, housing and social networks necessary to feel a sense of belonging in the city. With more than 2,000 units planned for construction within walking distance of the new campus, and thousands more which will be accessible by the new ION which runs in front of the college's front doors, students will be able to take advantage of new and existing housing opportunities.
“I’m thrilled that Conestoga College has chosen Downtown Kitchener’s Market Square as the site for their new campus,” said Ward 10 Councillor, Sarah Marsh. “This investment into Downtown Kitchener will support and grow our local economy, and showcase Kitchener’s dynamic and inclusive community to the world.”
The new campus, coupled with the concentration of cultural shops, restaurants and services in the downtown core, will ensure this area continues to be a hub of multiculturalism in the Waterloo Region.
“Europro is excited to partner with Conestoga College to welcome them to their new space in Downtown Kitchener,” said Craig Haney VP, Europro K-W Portfolio. “We have invested in the downtown core since 2017 to provide efficient workspaces where people want to work. The college’s commitment to downtown will become a catalyst for people living, working, playing, and learning all in one area and are happy to be part of this transformation.”