Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction is moving ahead on two major projects at Trent University’s Symons Campus in Peterborough that will add 1,400 student beds and about 134,000 sq. ft. of academic, social and administrative space.
The Gidigaa Migizi College and new Otonabee College residence are being developed through a partnership involving Trent University, Knightstone Capital Management, the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and the Building Ontario Fund (BOF).
The projects are receiving $100 million through BOF and are expected to be completed by fall 2029.
FRAM Building Group is the contractor for the projects. Knightstone Capital Management is the development partner, with Diamond Schmitt Architects and Two Row Architect providing architectural services.
Two Row Architect is a 100 per cent Indigenous-owned firm based at Six Nations of the Grand River. The firm has worked on incorporating Indigenous cultural knowledge and teachings into contemporary architectural design.
Gidigaa Migizi College, Trent’s newest college, will include large lecture halls, a student services hub, a rooftop event space and an outdoor pavilion with views of the campus and Otonabee River.
The new Otonabee College residence will add student housing and communal spaces. Both buildings will be fully accessible.
Trent’s Project Steering Committee is overseeing the development, with representatives from finance, facilities management, project management, housing and the university’s colleges. A separate Design Committee is working with Knightstone Capital Management and Diamond Schmitt Architects on the architectural design.
The additional residence capacity is expected to provide more on-campus housing and reduce pressure on Peterborough’s rental market.
The $100-million BOF financing is structured to be repaid through a future refinancing agreement after construction is complete and the residences are occupied and generating revenue.
Construction is scheduled for completion in fall 2029.
