Remote Surveillance Trailer in Ontario, CA

PETERBOROUGH — The Ontario government is investing $100 million through Building Ontario Fund (BOF) to build two new student residences and new academic spaces at Trent University. The project will provide 1,400 students with convenient on-campus housing options along with approximately 134,000 square feet of new academic and student space to support the university’s long-term growth.

“Our government is using innovative financing to unlock new investments and create new opportunities for projects that otherwise would not happen,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “By working with institutional and private-sector partners, we are helping Trent University expand its campus and create more housing options for students while strengthening the local economy and supporting long-term growth in Peterborough.”

The two new student residences, Gidigaa Migizi College and Otonabee College, are located on the East Bank of Trent University’s Symons Campus. The addition of 1,400 student beds will expand Trent’s accessible and supportive living environment while also easing pressure on the local rental market. The development will also feature modern and state-of-the-art amenities including lecture halls and student support spaces. Construction of the project is expected to be completed in August 2029.

“Protecting Ontario’s future workforce starts with supporting student success inside and outside the classroom,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “By expanding academic spaces and student residences at Trent University, our government is ensuring that more students can focus on getting the skills they need to launch rewarding, good-paying careers while continuing to support Trent’s long-term growth and sustainability.”

The $100 million investment will be repaid after the residences are occupied and generating revenue, then reinvested into other projects across six priority areas including affordable housing, energy, transportation, long-term care, municipal and community infrastructure, and critical minerals.

“Students come to Peterborough to learn, build connections and begin the next chapter of their lives,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “This investment will expand the university’s campus and provide new academic, student and residential spaces that will enhance the student experience and support Trent’s future growth.”

As Ontario faces global economic uncertainty, the government is taking decisive action to strengthen the province’s world-class publicly funded colleges and universities and protect Ontario’s future. BOF is part of that plan, supporting projects that grow the province’s economy, competitiveness and resilience.

Quick Facts

Quotes

"This investment reflects Building Ontario Fund's mandate to unlock priority infrastructure that delivers long-term public benefit through responsible, commercially disciplined investment. By partnering with Trent University, HOOPP and Knightstone Capital Management, we are helping deliver much-needed student housing, attracting institutional capital to Ontario, and creating a model that can be replicated across the province. "

- Michael FedchyshynChief Executive Officer, Building Ontario Fund

"This project represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in Trent University's history and a significant investment in the future of our students, our University, and our community. By expanding accessible on-campus housing alongside modern academic spaces, we are strengthening the student experience while helping to ease pressure on the local housing market. This investment will enhance our capacity to welcome future generations of students and reflects a shared commitment to building vibrant, thriving communities through higher education. We are grateful to the Government of Ontario, Building Ontario Fund, and our project partners for their confidence in this vision."

- Dr. Cathy BrucePresident and Vice-chancellor, Trent University

"Ontario continues to offer compelling investment opportunities that support communities and generate long-term returns for our members. This project will expand access to student housing, support Trent University's growth, and strengthen the Peterborough community. We are proud to partner with Building Ontario Fund, Trent University, and our financing partners on this important investment."

- Annesley WallacePresident and CEO, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan

"As the project developer, Knightstone Capital Management is proud to partner with Trent University, Building Ontario Fund and HOOPP on a project that will deliver much-needed student housing while supporting the university's long-term growth. This development demonstrates how innovative partnerships and private-sector expertise can help address critical infrastructure needs, create vibrant student communities and generate lasting value for both students and the broader Peterborough community."

- Alan PerlisPresident and CEO, Knightstone Capital Management

The owners of Treasure Banquet Hall told the Ontario City Council Tuesday night that their downtown event venue has been unable to operate for nearly a year and a half after the city cut power to the building amid a dispute over permits.

ONTARIO, Calif. (KABC) -- The owners of Treasure Banquet Hall told the Ontario City Council Tuesday night that their downtown event venue has been unable to operate for nearly a year and a half after the city cut power to the building amid a dispute over permits.

Marianne and Andrew Hanouneh, siblings who run the business, spoke during a City Council meeting and described the impact the closure has had on their family and business.

"We built something we were very proud of, and we were so proud to give back to this community," Marianne Hanouneh said.

According to the Hanounehs, problems began when their building permits expired. They said the city told them to cease operations unless they met certain requirements, including submitting new plans.

The siblings said they complied with those requirements, but that the city has never approved the plans.

"We relied on the permits the city issued us. We invested our family's resources in good faith," Marianne Hanouneh said.

"Then overnight it was gone. The permit we had invested millions of dollars relying on simply disappeared. No due process, no warning, just gone," she added.

The siblings also alleged that the city later shut off power to the building without warning. They said they then sought help from Ontario City Council member Alan Wapner.

"I showed him photos of our building, hoping he might understand what our family had created. As soon as I named the building, he said, and I quote, 'I know your building. I know exactly where that is. No need to show photos. I've been telling them to shut you down for months,'" Marianne Hanouneh said.

She also recounted another alleged statement by Wapner.

"When I asked him to meet with another official, he said, 'No, no, it doesn't matter. I hold the power in this city,'" she said.

The Hanounehs said they spent months attempting to resolve the issue with the city but have been unable to move forward while the building remains without power.

They also said they were contacted earlier this year by the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office and later by the FBI.

The allegations surfaced as the FBI recently served search warrants at several locations in Southern California, including Wapner's home. There is no evidence of any connection between those searches and the situation involving Treasure Banquet Hall.

The FBI has not commented because the search warrants are sealed.

During Tuesday night's city council meeting, Mayor Paul Leon called for Wapner to be removed from the committees on which he serves.

"He's become a distraction, and that is not saying he's guilty of anything," said Leon. "But the distraction of the current activity is real."

Wapner objected to the mayor bringing the matter before the city council, saying not enough notice was given to the public ahead of time.

"I've never been named a suspect, a subject, a target of any investigation," said Wapner at the meeting. "They did search the house. We don't know what they were searching for or for what."

The City Council voted to consider removing Wapner from committee assignments at a future meeting.

Requests for comment were made to both Wapner and the City of Ontario. Responses were not immediately available.