Conestoga College planning major expansion in Waterloo

Students work on computers at Conestoga College in Kitchener on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. (Frank Lynn / CTV Kitchener)

The federal and provincial governments announced Monday that they will be putting a combined $15.8 million toward a $43.5-million expansion of Conestoga College’s Waterloo campus.

That total includes $14 million from the federal government, and $1.8 million from the province. The remaining $27.7 million is expected to be funded by the school itself and the community at large.

The expansion will include new space for the school’s culinary and hospitality management courses, as well as a centre for advanced learning and an access hub designed to connect students, job seekers and new Canadians with relevant information and services.

In a press release, college president John Tibbits said that the expansion “will enable Conestoga to build essential capacity to address the needs of our growing community, foster innovation and create new opportunities for individuals to build the skills and knowledge that will contribute to successful careers, stronger businesses and economic growth across our dynamic region.