Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning is pleased to announce it has acquired additional properties in Waterloo as part of its commitment to enhancing student experiences and meeting the demand for student housing.
Conestoga has leased the Inn of Waterloo which will provide housing for up to 300 students. L-R: Trish Weigel Green, vice president, Students; Tim Schill, vice president, Facilities & Capital Development; Jerry Drennan, Drewlo Holdings; John Tibbits, president; Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe; Nelson Chukwuma, president, Conestoga Students Inc; Allan Drewlo, Drewlo Holdings.
The college has leased the Inn of Waterloo at 475 King Street North, a landmark property in the heart of Waterloo, and purchased 400 Albert Street as well as 419 Hazel Street.
The properties represent a significant investment in the future of Conestoga and the well-being of its students. Following renovations, the inn will provide accommodation for up to 300 students, while the other two properties will add another 155 beds.
“As our community grows, it is essential that we provide modern and accessible housing options for our students,” said Trish Weigel Green, vice president, Students. “We know that housing is an integral part of the student experience. By investing in new facilities, we are helping create a supportive environment that promotes personal and academic success.”
The purchases are part of a series of investments the college is making in student housing. These acquisitions augment Conestoga’s existing residence in Waterloo at 50 University Avenue East, which opened to students last fall. The college also acquired 60 University Avenue East in 2023 and it will open to Conestoga students later this year. Conestoga has additional student housing in Kitchener and Brantford, and is finalizing a property in Milton.
In total, the college has secured eight properties in the last 10 months to increase student housing.
The buildings represent Conestoga’s ongoing commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its diverse student population. Expanded housing capacity aims to reduce housing challenges and enhance the overall well-being of students by providing a secure, comfortable and supportive living environment.
“Our students are at the centre of everything we do,” said Weigel Green. “These investments underscore our commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community where every student feels supported and empowered to succeed.”
The college also invests approximately $50 million annually on domestic and international student support services that include health and wellness programs, food security and nutrition programs, and housing and employment supports.
Conestoga’s student housing:
- 99 Conestoga College Blvd., Kitchener
- 180 Dalhousie St., Brantford
- 50 University Ave. E., Waterloo
- 60 University Ave. E., Waterloo
- 400 Albert St., Waterloo
- 419 Hazel St., Waterloo
- Inn of Waterloo, 475 King St. N., Waterloo
- Coming 2025: Milton
- Coming 2026: 22 Frederick St., Kitchener
Conestoga was established in Kitchener in 1967. Since then, the college has expanded to deliver in-demand career and skills training to more than 45,000 students in eight communities and their surrounding areas in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Brantford, Milton, Stratford and Ingersoll. Conestoga boasts the top graduation rate of all Ontario colleges at 72.9 per cent, and employers report a 92 per cent satisfaction rate with the college's graduates. Conestoga’s alumni community adds more than $6.2 billion to Ontario’s economy each year.