Brace yourselves, students and staff! Conestoga College is making headlines once again, this time with the shocking announcement of closures at two of its campuses, all in an effort to tighten budgets amid challenges with international student enrollment.

On April 15, a letter revealing the college's plans hit the inboxes of staff members, detailing the consolidation of programs across its downtown Kitchener (DTK) and Brantford campuses. The timing couldn’t be more critical, as both campuses are set to transition before summer's end.

What’s Happening? Unpacking the Closures

The college has stated that the leases for its Brantford and DTK locations are expiring, prompting this sweeping change. The Brantford campus mainly offers diploma and certificate programs in business and community services, while the Kitchener DTK Campus focuses on tech disciplines, serving over 4,000 students.

Exciting new homes for programs are on the horizon! Students and staff from the Brantford campus will relocate to 50 Wellington St., while those from the DTK campus will transition to 1 Young St. in Kitchener.

Smooth Transitions? Let’s Hope So!

The college insists that these moves will cause 'little to no disruption' for students and staff, but with recent cuts and layoffs in the mix, many are left wondering how smooth these transitions will truly be.

Adding fuel to the fire, President John Tibbits was reported to receive a staggering 28% salary increase last year, which hasn’t sat well with many in the community given the college's current budget cuts.

What’s Next for Conestoga?

Conestoga College is not only refocusing its resources—it's also expanding! The college recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Grand Erie District School Board to launch the first College-Within-a-School program in Ontario, including major renovations at the Tollgate Technical Skills Centre.

In addition, students will benefit from an array of new programming being offered as operations from Brantford Airport move to TTSC, enhancing the educational journey for future students.

Future Developments on the Horizon!

Conestoga is gearing up for even more growth, with the second phase of the Skilled Trades Campus in Cambridge opening its doors in fall 2026. This project promises to establish one of Canada's largest trades campuses. Plus, students will soon flock to a new location in Stratford at 60 Erie Street this fall and an upgraded esports arena at the Waterloo campus expected in 2025.

As Conestoga charts a new course, the community watches closely—will these changes lead to a stronger future, or are challenges ahead?