Trent University has initiated the rehabilitation of the Faryon Bridge to extend the lifespan of this vital piece of campus infrastructure. Planned work includes structural repairs, deck and balustrade replacements, waterproofing, and electrical upgrades. These improvements will preserve the original design while extending the bridge’s lifespan for decades to come. 

Rehabilitation is expected to begin in February, following the development and approval of a work schedule and engineering approvals.  

The Faryon Bridge is a key connector on the Symons Campus, supporting academic, research, operational, and utility functions. Ongoing assessments identified the need for structural repairs to maintain safety and ensure the bridge’s continued use for decades to come. The project was approved as part of Trent’s five-year capital plan in 2022.  

Independent engineering assessments confirmed the urgent need for this work to maintain structural integrity and protect the health and safety of those who use it. Delaying the work would increase safety risks, limit bridge use, and significantly raise future repair costs.

The project was identified as a priority in Trent’s five-year capital plan approved by the Board of Governors in 2022. In December, the Board approved the use of capital funding to proceed now, recognizing that timely intervention is the most responsible way to protect campus safety, preserve a key Trent heritage asset, and ensure the continued operation of an essential pedestrian, utility, and emergency connection between East and West Bank. 

The bridge will remain open and accessible throughout the rehabilitation. Any temporary closures or interruptions will be communicated in advance. 

No. The rehabilitation work will ensure the bridge maintains its original architectural character and cultural significance. 

The rehabilitation of the Faryon Bridge is a multi-year project. Project status updates will be shared as the work is underway. 

The Faryon Bridge rehabilitation is being funded through capital funds previously set aside for this purpose and new allocations designated by the board.  The University will also be seeking philanthropic support. Investing now is the most fiscally responsible approach, helping to avoid higher future costs and safety risks if the work were delayed.

The Faryon Bridge is also an iconic element of the Trent campus and the student experience. As the University works to preserve something that makes our campus unique and special, we hope to support the project with donations from supporters and friends of Trent. 

Trent University will host all Peterborough convocation ceremonies in the Athletics Centre due to site disruptions caused by the Faryon Bridge rehabilitation and construction of the Gidigaa Migizi College and new Otonabee College residence.  

On the Gidigaa Migizi College site, excavation, shoring, bedrock removal and drilling related to the development of the geothermal system will create noise and vibration that will carry to the podium. The Faryon Bridge project will also impose access and load restrictions, limiting the safe movement of large groups over the bridge, and parts of the podium may be closed off for the bridge repairs.

All Peterborough convocation ceremonies will the held in the Athletics Centre due to rehabilitation work on the Faryon Bridge, adjacent to the Bata podium, which is the centrepiece of Trent’s outdoor convocation. These activities make safe access difficult and create noise that would disrupt the ceremonies. With up to 1,500 attendees per ceremony, using the podium presents safety and logistical challenges.

The Athletics Centre has successfully hosted ceremonies in previous years (half of 2022 and 2024 ceremonies, and all of 2025) with positive feedback. The indoor location can accommodate all traditions and celebratory aspects of convocation, and provides a safe, indoor environment supporting accessibility requirements.

Holding convocation at the Athletics Centre ensures that the ceremonies can proceed safely, smoothly, and with the full celebratory experience intact. 

Two major projects will affect the podium area in 2026:

• Gidigaa Migizi College and new Otonabee College residence construction: Over the next six months, the project will include excavation, shoring, and the removal of bedrock. Following this work, crews will drill deep geothermal wells. These activities will create sustained noise and vibration that will travel across the river to the podium.
• Faryon Bridge Rehabilitation: Essential rehabilitation work on Faryon Bridge will begin in February 2026. Load restrictions will limit the number of people permitted on the bridge at one time, and parts of the podium may be required for material storage. Noise may also be a concern.

Together, these projects restrict access to the podium and bridge, reduce safe movement around the podium, and create an environment unsuitable for large-scale events. 

The construction of Gidigaa Migizi College and new Otonabee College residence and the rehabilitation of Faryon Bridge involve essential infrastructure upgrades that must move forward on schedule.  

Each project has a timeline based on weather conditions, contractor coordination, and milestone progressions, including some that are coordinated around the academic year. The work cannot pause for convocation, which takes place over two weeks, and convocation cannot safely and comfortably proceed next to this rehabilitation work.  

Alternate locations for hosting convocation have been reviewed, but are not feasible due to cost, accessibility limitations, and logistical challenges.

The Trent Athletics Centre is a proven, accessible, and well-equipped venue that can safely accommodate all attendees and traditions.

To ensure everyone can participate meaningfully, graduates can invite four guests in person, while additional family and friends can watch via the University’s live stream in designated indoor viewing spaces, which provide a comfortable and celebratory atmosphere. 

No. The timing of convocation is based on the schedules and availability of graduating students and their families, staff and campus space. Trent’s June ceremonies are designed to accommodate more than 3,000 guests per day and require over 150 staff to deliver the experience that graduates expect and deserve.  

With rehabilitation work active during convocation ceremonies, the University recommends avoiding photographs on the bridge due to load capacity restrictions and visibility of materials and equipment. Trent’s Symons Campus offers many other beautiful backdrops for photos, including many angles featuring the Otonabee River, the Student Centre and the Bata Library.  

To prepare for rehabilitation work in 2025, exclusionary netting was installed March 31–April 4 to prevent migratory birds from nesting under the bridge. This minimizes disruption to wildlife once construction begins. 

Trent is working with Montrose Environmental and RJC Engineers to ensure the netting follows best practices in wildlife protection. 

No. The netting simply deters birds from nesting under the bridge. Migratory birds are expected to nest in alternate nearby locations. The netting was installed in early spring to be in place before any birds nest under the bridge. 

While birds do use the underside of the bridge, none of the species known to frequent the area are currently designated as species-at-risk.

Minor, short-term interruptions were expected. On the East Bank, periodic lane closures occured on Nassau Mills Road, with one lane remaining open at all times. On the West Bank, parts of the President’s Walk were temporarily impacted. The bridge was open and accessible during this work, and advance notice was provided about any work taking place on the bridge affecting pedestrian traffic.

The netting was installed between March 31 and April 4, 2025.