The Ontario government is investing $100 million to expand student housing and academic space at Trent University.
The Building Ontario Fund investment will support two new residences on the university’s Symons Campus, providing housing for about 1,400 students.
The project will also add roughly 134,000 square feet of classrooms, lecture halls and student support spaces.
“Students come to Peterborough to learn, build connections and begin the next chapter of their lives,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “This investment will expand the university’s campus and provide new academic, student and residential spaces that will enhance the student experience and support Trent’s future growth.”
The province says the investment will help ease pressure on the local rental market while supporting Trent’s long-term growth.
The $100 million investment will be repaid after the residences are occupied and generating revenue, then reinvested into other projects across six priority areas including affordable housing, energy, transportation, long-term care, municipal and community infrastructure, and critical minerals.
“This project represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in Trent University’s history and a significant investment in the future of our students, our University, and our community,” said Trent University President and Vice-chancellor Dr. Cathy Bruce. “By expanding accessible on-campus housing alongside modern academic spaces, we are strengthening the student experience while helping to ease pressure on the local housing market. This investment will enhance our capacity to welcome future generations of students and reflects a shared commitment to building vibrant, thriving communities through higher education. We are grateful to the Government of Ontario, Building Ontario Fund, and our project partners for their confidence in this vision.”
Construction of the two new residences, Gidigaa Migizi College and Otonabee College, is expected to be completed by August 2029.
(Written by: Felicia Massey)
