Trent University is investing in the essential restoration of the Bata catwalk, an original part of Ron Thom’s campus design, completing rehabilitation work to protect its structural integrity. Repairs and upgrades to the catwalk include a deck replacement to support regular use, extend the lifespan of this preferred pathway from the podium to Bata Library, and preserve Trent’s heritage architecture.

The restoration of the Bata catwalk is essential and important work that will protect the structural integrity of the heritage feature. The project is expected to take six months to complete and must align with the best possible weather conditions. It must take place during the spring to be complete ahead of the 2025-26 academic year. Most of this work will take place during the summer academic term when there is less traffic on campus. The expected completion date for the work is August 2025.

Access to Bata Library from the Champlain podium via the catwalk will not be available during the restoration work.

Below the catwalk, between the first floor of Bata Library and Champlain College, crews will be maintaining a pathway around the fenced-off work site, including accessible ramps and a small section of stairs up to the Bata podium. 

Essential restoration work has begun on the Bata catwalk and is scheduled to continue through August 2025. The catwalk is a central feature of Trent’s podium, where convocation is held during good weather. The work site limits access and movement around the podium. With up to 1,500 people attending each ceremony, hosting convocation on the podium presents multiple safety and logistical challenges.

To prioritize the safety of all graduates and convocation guests and to ensure an uninterrupted ceremony, Trent University will host all Peterborough convocation ceremonies in the gym at the Athletics Centre. The gym is routinely used for convocation ceremonies. In 2024, almost half of Trent’s convocation ceremonies were held in the gym due to weather. Participant feedback has been positive on these indoor ceremonies.

For more information about 2025 Convocation, visit trentu.ca/convocation 

Yes, the bookstore will remain open during its regular business hours.

Yes, city busses will continue to serve the west bank bus loop.

All existing entrances to Bata Library and Champlain College will remain open during this time, except for the entrance to Bata Library from the upper Champlain podium and catwalk. 

Members of the Trent community and campus visitors with accessibility requirements can still access Bata Library through first-floor entrances and take the elevator on the right to Level 2. Access to the catwalk from here will be closed but the library will remain accessible. 

Visitors to Bata Library can also take the elevators near the Archives on the first floor to upper floors. 

An accessible pathway between Bata Library or the Bata bus loop and the Champlain podium is available via the elevator in Champlain College located near The Ceilie.

Yes, you can take the elevators at Champlain College. Enter the doors by the bookstore and walk down the hall to the elevator across from The Ceilie. Take the elevator to the third floor, where you can exit the College onto the podium. Continue your journey across the Faryon Bridge to the east bank or follow the steps in reverse.

A new Trent Card reader has been installed at the doors to Champlain College by the bookstore. This will allow afterhours access to the Champlain elevators between ground level at Bata Library and the podium level for those who need access. Champlain College doors at the podium level (third floor) are also equipped with card reader access for students traveling from east to west bank afterhours and need access to the elevators. 

For students needing to use the alternate route via the Champlain elevators, requests for afterhours access can be submitted to Student Accessibility Services.