New multi-use athletics and student hub planned for Oshawa campus
Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University (OTU) are proceeding with a major expansion at their Oshawa campus: a three-storey Campus High-Performance Complex (CHPC) that will add nearly 60,000 square feet of new space and renovate about 9,000 square feet within the Campus Ice Centre. The partners anticipate the project will open in August 2028.
The CHPC is being described by both institutions as a flexible, accessible building intended to serve varsity teams, everyday students and the wider community. Planned components include indoor basketball and volleyball courts, integrated strength, conditioning and fitness areas, study and lounge spaces, and expanded food services, alongside the campus’s existing two ice pads.
- Size: nearly 60,000 sq. ft. new, plus ~9,000 sq. ft. renovated
- Levels: three storeys
- Athletic amenities: courts, training and fitness areas, two ice pads remain
- Student life: study lounges, expanded food services, intramurals and campus events
Varsity teams and community use
The facility is intended to serve Durham College’s Lords and Ontario Tech’s Ridgebacks varsity programs while relieving capacity pressures on existing athletics and recreation spaces. College and university officials emphasised that growing participation in varsity sports, intramurals and fitness programming drove the decision to expand.
Beyond varsity schedules, administrators say the CHPC will create more room for intramural leagues, tournaments, camps and community rentals, increasing opportunities for local groups to use campus facilities.
"The Campus High-Performance Complex builds on the strong partnership between Durham College and Ontario Tech," said Scott Dennis, Director, Athletics and Recreation at DC.
In a separate statement, OTU's athletics director framed the project as a student-centred investment.
"This expansion will give our student-athletes the environment they need to pursue excellence while creating more opportunities for every student to be active, build community and feel connected to campus,"the statement said.
Addressing capacity and campus life
Officials say the CHPC responds to mounting demand for recreational and performance space across the shared campus. The modern design will emphasise accessibility and support students’ physical well-being and sense of belonging, according to the project description.
The complex will also be programmed for daily student use — giving people more places to connect and recharge between classes — while creating new revenue and partnership opportunities through rentals and hosted events.
| Feature | Planned |
|---|---|
| New square footage | Nearly 60,000 sq. ft. |
| Renovated space | Approximately 9,000 sq. ft. (Campus Ice Centre) |
| Opening | Anticipated August 2028 |
| Primary users | DC Lords, OTU Ridgebacks, students, community |
For Oshawa residents, the CHPC represents both an investment in campus infrastructure and a potential new community amenity. Local sports clubs, tournament organisers and recreational users stand to benefit from additional gym space and rental capacity. The project also signals continued growth of the shared Durham College–Ontario Tech campus as a centre for student life in the city.
Construction details, funding breakdowns and community access schedules were not provided in the initial announcement. Both institutions have emphasised their partnership in delivering a facility intended to strengthen connections between campus and community while meeting increasing demand for athletic and wellness space.
The CHPC will join existing campus facilities — including the Campus Ice Centre’s two ice pads — as part of a broader plan to expand student services and extracurricular programming at the Oshawa site. Administrators say the complex is designed to be flexible, supporting varsity performance needs while accommodating everyday student activity and community events.
As planning advances, local groups and campus stakeholders will be watching for more detailed timelines, access policies and the ways the new complex will integrate with existing campus operations.
