Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction is underway at Trent University on one of the largest infrastructure projects in its history, with ground officially broken on Gidigaa Migizi College and a new residence for Otonabee College.
Fram Construction is the contractor.
The 700,000-sq. ft. development, located on the East Bank of Trentโs Symons Campus, is slated to open in fall 2028 and will add more than 1,300 student beds. It forms the core of a long-term housing strategy that aims to modernize student living, improve accessibility and support both university expansion and local housing needs.
โThis is a defining chapter for Trent,โ said president and vice-chancellor Dr. Cathy Bruce. โGidigaa Migizi College and the new Otonabee residence will provide inclusive, modern spaces that reflect the values and growth of our university.โ
The multi-year project is being delivered in partnership with Knightstone Capital Management, Diamond Schmitt Architects and Two Row Architect. Together, they aim to integrate Trentโs historic architectural legacy with modern sustainability and Indigenous design principles.
Named for the late Elder, alumnus and professor Doug Williamsโwhose Anishinaabe name, Gidigaa Migizi, means Spotted Eagleโthe new college will combine academic, residential and social spaces. Highlights include lecture halls, rooftop gathering areas, and a student services hub. The building will also incorporate cultural features such as smudging spaces, storytelling areas and Indigenous symbols.
Otonabee College residence will include more than 600 beds and a pedestrian-friendly layout with direct indoor connections to dining facilities. Red metal accents will reflect the original Otonabee Collegeโs design, while new outdoor quads and gathering areas aim to foster community.
Both buildings are targeting LEED Gold certification and will include geothermal heating and cooling systems. Projected energy performance is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent compared to 2017 national building code standards.
โThis is a major step toward a more connected, inclusive and sustainable campus,โ said Tariq Al-idrissi, vice-president of finance and administration.
Construction on the site is expected to intensify over the summer, with geothermal work beginning later this year.
Trentโs housing strategy, approved in 2019, aligns with municipal goals by contributing to Peterboroughโs housing target of 4,700 new homes by 2031. In addition to student housing, the plan includes a proposed 224-bed long-term care facility on campus.