Trent University’s Symons Campus in Peterborough will reopen Sunday (September 27) following the completion of watermain repairs and required water quality testing, with in-person classes resuming Monday.
The university confirmed the reopening in a media release issued late Friday afternoon, three days after a break in the main water line serving the campus left buildings without water and forced the cancellation of in-person classes and the closure of campus residences.
According to the university, students displaced from affected residences will receive refunds for the period they were unable to access their rooms.
Campus buildings, including Bata Library, the Student Centre, the Trent Athletics Centre, and the colleges, will reopen throughout the day Sunday and return to their regular operating schedules. Students, employees, community partners, and visitors may return as buildings reopen.
All in-person classes, labs, and academic activities at Symons Campus will resume Monday (September 28), as the university had anticipated when it announced the closure.
The shutdown took effect at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday (September 22), when faculty, staff, students, and visitors were directed to leave campus, with limited exceptions for essential operations.
Students living in Champlain, Lady Eaton, Otonabee, and Gzowski college residences were asked to return home if they could, while Student Housing arranged temporary accommodations for those who needed them.
In a Wednesday advisory, the university said crews had identified the affected section of watermain and completed initial repairs, with pressure testing, flushing, and water quality testing required before reopening.
A Thursday update confirmed repairs were complete, and flushing and water quality testing were underway in accordance with public health requirements.
With the reopening announcement, Student Housing has been communicating directly with residence students about their return on Sunday and providing individualized support throughout the closure.
“In recognition of the disruption experienced by students living in impacted residences, the university is refunding residence fees for the period during which students were unable to access their residence rooms,” states Friday’s release.
Students living at Traill College and in the Annex residences on Water Street were able to remain in their rooms throughout the disruption. Classes and operations at Traill College in downtown Peterborough and Trent’s Durham GTA campus were unaffected.
During the closure, instructors were encouraged to provide flexibility for affected students. The university also offered access to virtual academic advising, academic skills support, and student wellness appointments.
The university acknowledged the challenges the closure created and thanked students, employees, families, and community partners for their patience, understanding, flexibility, and resilience.
It also recognized the work of its emergency management group, facilities management, student housing, food services, campus safety, public health officials, contractors, vendors, and other employees in supporting students and restoring campus operations.
Further campus information is available at www.trentu.ca/advisory.
