Elected representatives from the federal, provincial, regional and municipal governments joined members of the Conestoga community at the college’s North campus in Waterloo on Monday, December 19 for the announcement of a joint federal-provincial government investment of $15.8 million to support a major expansion project for the campus.
Elected representatives joined members of the Conestoga community for the December 19 announcement of government support for a major expansion at the college’s North campus in Waterloo.
L-R: Regional Chair Ken Seiling, MPP Daiene Vernile, Conestoga President John Tibbits, MP Bryan May, Government House leader and MP Bardish Chagger, MP Marwan Tabbara, MP Raj Saini, Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky. Photo credit: Office of Bryan May
The investment was announced by Marwan Tabbara, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-South Hespeler, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and by Daiene Vernile, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener Centre.
The funding will support Phase 1 of Conestoga’s Pathways to Prosperity initiative, which involves the expansion and revitalization of the college’s North Campus in Waterloo.
The project includes the development of three primary components.
- A new Institute for Culinary & Hospitality Management will greatly expand capacity for programming and applied research.
- The Centre for Advanced Learning will focus on the delivery of new and expanded programming for information and communications technology and other high-demand areas.
- A new Access Hub will provide students, newcomers to Canada, job seekers and area employers with access to information, programs and services in a single location.
Of the 15.8 million dollar investment, 14 million dollars will come from the federal government and 1.8 million dollars from the Government of Ontario. Conestoga and the community will contribute an additional 27.7 million dollars for a total investment of 43.5 million dollars.
“This investment will enable Conestoga to build essential capacity to address the needs of our growing community, foster innovation and create new opportunities for individuals to build the skills and knowledge that will contribute to successful careers, stronger businesses, and economic growth across our dynamic region,” said President John Tibbits.
The funding from the Government of Canada is being allocated through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities.