Conestoga news

December 14, 2020 12:40 PM

Ontario increases facilities renewal funding for Conestoga and local universities

The Ontario government is investing $12,233,600 in capital funding to help Conestoga College, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo address their deferred maintenance backlog, undertake critical repairs and upgrades, and provide a modern and safe learning environment for students, faculty and staff.

The announcement was made by Mike Harris, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga and Amy Fee, MPP for Kitchener South-Hespeler on Friday, December 11 at the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy.

“Investing in the infrastructure of Waterloo Region’s postsecondary institutions means that their students will have access to modern facilities and the latest in learning tools which will help them obtain the skills they need for successful careers, said MPPS Harris and Fee in a statement. “This $5 million dollar increase in Facilities Renewal Program funding will ensure our local world class college and universities can continue to provide a top-quality education to their graduates, our leaders of tomorrow.” 

Conestoga will receive $3,005,800 to help address the ongoing need for maintenance, repair, renovation and modernization of existing facilities. The 2020-21 FRP funding represents an increase of more than $2 million above the 2019-20 allocation.  

The province will also provide Conestoga with $930,400 in capital funding through the College Equipment and Renewal Fund (CERF) to help in the purchase and renewal of instructional equipment learning resources. For 2020-21, this funding can also be used to purchase equipment that supports student virtual learning during COVID-19.  

“We appreciate this important investment by the Government of Ontario in the renewal and modernization of our campuses and facilities,” said Conestoga President John Tibbits. “These resources will help ensure that we can continue to deliver leading edge programming to address the current and future needs of our community and provide students with the expertise to launch successful careers.”  

“The first-class education students receive at our postsecondary institutions is critical to the future of Ontario, our economy, and the prosperity of our people, said Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities in a news release. “That is why our government is committed to providing annual funding that will help our colleges and universities renew and modernize their facilities.”  

Visit the Waterloo Region Record for more coverage of this story