At a gathering of supporters, donors and College officials, Conestoga College opened its new campus in Waterloo on November 6.
The campus, located in a former secondary school at 108 University Ave. E., is in the first stages of a transformation that will see it become a centre for excellence in skills education in a number of areas: hospitality and culinary services, construction-related skilled trades, innovative programs that combine technical diploma studies with apprenticeship experience and co-op education, basic skills education and upgrading, English language training for new Canadians and international post-secondary students, and a resource centre related to employment research and job-finding skills. In addition, the facility offers part-time, evening and weekend adult education courses in many different career-oriented and personal interest areas.
The new Waterloo campus began operation in September; the November 6 event provided the opportunity for major stakeholders, who have contributed almost $2 million to this project, to gather, tour the campus and see how Conestoga’s vision for a major centre in Waterloo is beginning to take shape.
The guest of honour for the occasion was Mike Holmes, start of television’s Holmes on Homes and creator of The Holmes Foundation, an enterprise that supports excellence and education in the skilled trades. Holmes had toured the site and spoken in support of Conestoga’s plans in June 2006, in addition to addressing graduates at one of Conestoga’s Convocation ceremonies. He reiterated his support of Conestoga’s efforts and remarked on the major improvements that have occurred between his first and second visits.
Also speaking at the event were: Jim Hallman of the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation, on behalf of the donors recognized and honoured at the event; Conestoga President John Tibbits; and second-year Hospitality Management student Nick Fuller, who spoke of the contrast he and his student colleagues see in their experience at the new 115,000 sq. ft. facility compared to the previous Waterloo campus, which was less than half the size. Refreshments at the event were prepared on-site and served by hospitality/culinary students under the guidance of their professional-chef teachers.
Over time, Conestoga wants to provide an even greater array of programs and courses, creating pathways towards a seamless educational continuum that covers everything from preparatory studies to certificate and diploma programs to baccalaureate studies to specialized, postgraduate programs to university-transfer opportunities. Conestoga also hopes to increase the size of the facility significantly, as demand for excellent post-secondary education rises and as the region Conestoga serves continues to grow to accommodate a diverse, dynamic economy.
CONTACT: Ingrid Town, 519-748-5220, ext. 3490