The vision of Trent University students past and present took another step toward reality today as students, staff, faculty, board members and guests gathered on the Symons Campus in Peterborough for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the highly-anticipated new Student Centre.

Announced at the event, and approved earlier in the day by the Board of Governors, Aquicon Construction Co. has been selected as the official contractor for the project. The Brampton-based company will officially begin construction on the project this month. The new Student Centre is slated for opening in fall 2017.

“Today marks an exciting step forward for the new Trent Student Centre, a building which will provide future generations of students with a place to study, socialize and get involved,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “We’re pleased that Aquicon Construction has joined us, together with Teeple Architects, to move into the next exciting step of this project and bring the Student Centre one step closer to completion.”

“From the very minute we were notified that Aquicon was the successful proponent for the construction of the new Student Center for Trent University an excitement rushed through our office, to be back in the great city of Peterborough. To be part of such an historic institution such as Trent University is a true privilege and honour,” said Daniel Aquino, president of Aquicon Construction Co. Ltd., who was in attendance at today’s event. “We are looking forward to building new relationships with the entire team involved with such an important project, and adding such a formidable client to our list of projects."

In addition to announcing the contractor, and officially kicking-off construction of the new building, the ceremonial groundbreaking event included a special ceremony by Deputy Chief Keith Knott of Curve Lake who recognized the history and heritage of the land the Symons Campus, and future site of the Student Centre, is built on.

It was also announced that, thanks to an outpouring of support from the Trent community including the board, faculty, staff and alumni, over $3 million has been raised for the Student Centre, which includes over $600,000 that has been matched by an anonymous alumni as part of the Alumni Student Centre Challenge. The fundraising initiative is part of Trent University’s $50 Million Campaign: Unleash the Potential.

Students are also a major driving force behind the funding of the project, providing, through a special levy, $10.5 million of the $16 million required for the building.

“It was the inspiration of our students – their vision, their determination, as well as their financial commitment, that has motivated so many individuals to be supportive of this initiative,“ said Julie Davis, vice-president, External Relations and Advancement at Trent.

The highly-anticipated new Student Centre is envisioned as an opportunity to enhance Trent’s well-known outstanding student experience, offering new places and opportunities for students to socialize, learn, study, and engage in life on campus.

"This project started with a conversation between the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) and Trent University many years ago. It is exciting to see years of hard work by both students and Trent finally come together,” said Alaine Spiwak, president of the TCSA. “The building of our new Student Centre is symbolic of the growth of Trent, and we are eager for current and future students to utilize this fantastic space on campus."

On track for a completion date of September 2017, the new Student Centre will be located on the west bank of the Symons Campus between the Bata Library and the Trent Athletics Centre. For more information about the Student Centre, visit trentu.ca/studentcentre