The addition of Gidigaa Migizi College and new Otonabee College residence supports Trent’s Housing Strategy, which aligns with the University’s strategic objectives to meet growing residence demand and respond to housing pressures in the Peterborough community. Part of the housing strategy includes a capital projects plan that includes construction of at least 700 new residence beds. 

Yes. Gidigaa Migizi College and new Otonabee College residence will be constructed at the same time, led by the same design and construction firms. Building both at the same time achieves both time and cost efficiences.

Gidigaa Migizi College and the new Otonabee College Residence are expected to open in fall 2028.

Gidigaa Migizi College and the new Otonabee College residence will be constructed on the East Bank on the sites of existing parking lots Y, R and S outside of Wenjack Theatre on the north side of Otonabee College.

Consultations with the City of Peterborough, and Lands and Resource Consultation Officers from Curve Lake, Hiawatha, and Alderville First Nations have and will continue to be undertaken throughout these developments, building on the extensive collaborative work completed through the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan.  Many administrative and academic groups have also been involved in space design and needs assessment.

The development of Gidigaa Migizi College and the new Otonabee College residence will enhance Trent’s collegiate system, expand academic and administrative spaces, improve student services, and increase on-campus housing capacity. These additions will create modern, accessible, and community-oriented spaces that support student success and faculty engagement.

Gidigaa Migizi College will offer 700+ beds and the new OC residence will house more than 600 beds, amounting to more than 1,300 new residence spaces for students.

Both Gidigaa Migizi College and the new OC residence are targeting LEED Gold certification, featuring geothermal heating and cooling, energy-efficient designs, and environmentally responsible materials. Additionally, a Tree Inventory Protection Plan ensures that any necessary tree removal is compensated with native plantings in accordance with the Trent Lands & Nature Areas Plan. 

Gidigaa Migizi College will be built at the location of the existing parking lots Y and R outside of Wenjack Theatre on the north side of Otonabee College on the East Bank of Symons Campus.

Gidigaa Migizi College and the new Otonabee College residence are expected to open in 2028. 

Gidigaa Migizi means Spotted Eagle in Anishnaabemowin, the original language of the Michi Saagiig.

Gidigaa Migizi College is named in celebration and memory of the late Gidigaa Migizi (Doug Williams) ’69, professor, elder, and community leader renowned for his dedication to Trent students, and to protecting Anishnaabeg treaty rights. The name was recommended by the University’s Elders and Knowledge Keepers Council and approved by Trent’s Board of Governors. 

Using the full name, Gidigaa Migizi, is the respectful and appropriate way to refer to the new college. 

Gidigaa Migizi College will be home to a mix of academic, administrative, and student support spaces, reinforcing Trent’s collegiate system and enhancing student experiences. The Space & Construction Use Committee is guiding the planning process to ensure space allocations align with institutional priorities, with discussions ongoing. 

Confirmed spaces include: 

• The School of Business, which will relocate to an expanded home in Gidigaa Migizi College, supporting the school’s strategic growth, increasing its prominence, and enhancing experiential learning and industry engagement opportunities.
• A new Student Services Hub, centralizing student supports and simplifying access to key services.
• Gidigaa Migizi College offices, including space for academic skills, academic advising, and a junior common room to support student life.
• 700+ residence beds with a variety of room layouts.
• Two spacious lecture halls with a flexible design, allowing them to be combined into a single large event space.
• Outdoor spaces, including a rooftop balcony and pavilion with panoramic views of campus and the Otonabee River. 

Further space planning decisions are still in progress, and updates will be shared as the project advances. 

Yes. A new Student Services Hub will be located in Gidigaa Migizi College, offering centralized access to student support services, academic advising, and resources to help students succeed. 

The construction of a new Otonabee College residence aligns with Trent’s housing strategy and the University’s strategic objectives to meet growing residence demand. A key priority is improving accessibility, ensuring students have access to fully inclusive, modern, and state-of-the-art living spaces that support their academic and personal success. Expanding on-campus housing also helps alleviate pressures on the local rental market by providing more on-campus student accommodation. The new residence will provide 600+ beds and enhance the student experience with updated social and community spaces.

The new residence will be built north of Otonabee College on the current site of parking lot S.

The new residence will expand housing capacity while maintaining Otonabee College’s strong traditions and identity. The residence is designed to be fully accessible and will provide a more inclusive living environment for students.

The current OC residence will remain fully operational at full capacity until the new residence is complete in 2028. The future use of the existing residence building has not yet been determined and will be reviewed as the project progresses.

The academic, administrative, and community spaces of Otonabee College, including Wenjack Theatre, K-House (now The Wilder Place), and OC Commons, will remain open and accessible throughout construction. These spaces will continue to serve as the core of Otonabee College once the new residence opens.

The design of the new residence will integrate with the existing Otonabee College community, but specific details on physical connections between the buildings are still being developed. More information will be shared as plans are finalized.

The new Otonabee College residence is expected to open in fall 2028.

The Space Utilization & Construction Management Committee is overseeing space allocations based on institutional priorities, enrolment growth, and academic program needs. The School of Business and department of Economics have been confirmed to move into Gidigaa Migizi College, while other space decisions remain under review.

Space planning is in the early stages, led by the University’s Space Utilization & Construction Management Committee. We can confirm that the School of Business and department of Economics will move into Gidigaa Migizi College.

The Space Utilization & Construction Management Committee is reviewing broader space needs across campus, considering enrolment growth, academic alignment, and institutional priorities.  

At this time, the Space Utilization & Construction Management Committee is not accepting requests for space. The committee is evaluating needs holistically and will share updates as planning progresses.

At this stage, the Space Utilization & Construction Management Committee is not accepting space requests. The committee is focused on assessing existing space needs and strategic alignments based on institutional priorities. More details will be shared as planning progresses. 

Knightstone Capital Management was selected as the developer in 2024 and is leading a team that features Diamond Schmitt Architects, Two Row Architects, and the FRAM Building Group. Both buildings are being completed simultaneously by the same development team. 

Several key studies and assessments have been conducted to ensure thorough and strategic planning around environmental, land use, and traffic considerations.  To ensure minimal ecological impact, studies conducted include all-season environmental assessments, archaeological reviews, stormwater management planning, and a detailed tree inventory; as well as fieldwork by Trent staff on the University Green Network to analyze wildlife and habitat influences.  

Consultation with the City of Peterborough and Land Resource Consultation Officers from Curve Lake, Hiawatha, and Alderville First Nations has and will continue to be undertaken throughout these developments, building on the extensive collaborative work completed through the Trent Lands and Nature Areas Plan. Many administrative and academic groups have also been involved in space design and needs assessment.

Learn more about Planning & Consultations.

Construction began for Gidigaa Migizi College and new Otonabee College residence, following the groundbreaking event in June 2025. Construction activity is located on Trent University’s East Bank of Symons Campus, and the latest updates and information about construction activity can be found on the News & Updates page, as well as the Project Status on the home page for the projects.

While some temporary impacts are expected, the University is working to minimize disruptions to campus operations. Parking has been relocated and expanded to ensure continued access, and construction timelines have been designed to limit interference with academic activities. Details about construction and site activity can be found in the News & Updates section. 

Throughout this project, construction zones will be clearly marked, and all updates on changes to traffic flow or pedestrian routes will be communicated via the News & Updates page and Project Status section on the project homepage. 

The University added replacement parking north of the DNA Building to ensure that parking capacity is maintained and expanded. Three lots were completed in August 2025, with one more lot completed in Fall 2025.  

The new parking lots being built on East Bank are replacing the parking lots outside of Wenjack Theatre, which will become the site of Gidigaa Migizi College and new Otonabee College residence.    

The replacement parking lots expand parking lot capacity on the East Bank, providing approximately 850 new spaces to accommodate a growing campus community.  

The University added replacement parking lots north of the DNA Building to ensure that parking capacity is maintained and expanded. Three lots were completed and open in August 2025, with one more lot east of the DNA Building completed in Fall 2025. 

East Bank Drive can be accessed via Pioneer Road, which currently serves as the only entrance during the construction period. Entry to East Bank Drive from Nassau Mills Drive is closed during reconfiguration of East Bank Drive.

Replacement parking lots are now open at the north end of East Bank Drive, all of which are accessible from Pioneer Road.

Former parking lots Y, R, and S, located north of the Science Complex, are the future site of Gidigaa Migizi College and the new Otonabee College residence. These lots are now permanently closed to vehicles and pedestrians due to construction.

Stops for both GO and City buses are located at Mackenzie House and the Gzowski College loop.

If travelling from the new parking lots north of DNA Building on East Bank, the middle entrance of Otonabee College Residence (OCR), facing the DNA Building,  is the main pedestrian route to access the Environmental Science Centre (ESC), the Science Complex (SC), and Otonabee College Academic (OCA) from the new parking areas.

South and west entrances to Otonabee College, Environmental Sciences Building, and the Science Complex remain open for people traveling from other areas of East Bank or across the Faryon Bridge from West Bank. The north entrances of both Otonabee College (near Wenjack Theatre and OC Dining Hall) and the Science Complex (facing former parking lots Y, R and S) are closed due to construction of Gidigaa Migizi College and new Otonabee College Residence.  

From East Bank, accessible entry to the Environmental Science Centre (ESC), the Science Complex (SC), and Otonabee College Academic (OCA) is available via the south end of Otonabee College Academic.

If you’re travelling across Faryon Bridge to the East Bank, west- and south-facing entrances to the Environmental Science Centre, Science Complex, and Otonabee College also remain open. 

Accessible parking is located near the south side of the Otonabee College Academic building, in Lot U by Gzowski College Way. Five accessible parking spaces have been added to Lot U.

Shipping and Receiving operations continue out of their main location in Room 113 of the Environmental Science Centre (ESC).

Delivery vehicles can use the dedicated entrance off Nassau Mills Road, which remains open for two-way delivery traffic.