The new washrooms at Grebel are a step up from the old

When students moved into Conrad Grebel University College this fall, they were met with gleaming new washrooms and bright corridors. After four months of construction, four of the six washrooms in Grebel’s residence building have been completely renovated, improving both student experience and building operations.  

Renovations this summer focused on replacing the residence plumbing system which had been in place since Grebel was originally built in the 1960s. Brand-new toilets, sinks, shower heads, lighting, tiling, and flooring were also installed, providing a better experience for residents who use the washroom spaces every day. The residence toilet and shower stalls are now equipped with extended partition doors to accommodate all genders and growing requests for privacy. The shower stalls have multiple reinforced shelves and hooks for towels and toiletries, a higher location for the shower head to accommodate taller residents, and a drop-down seat for increased accessibility and utility.  

The residence has served Grebel students for more than 60 years, and while there had been some smaller updates to the washrooms in the past, the water pipes had not been touched. Since the renovation, plumbing problems have decreased significantly, reducing repair costs and washroom shutdowns. 

Grebel has several goals for this residence renewal project, which will involve a second stage of construction in summer 2026. Livability: new washrooms, the addition of cooling systems to residence rooms, and better ventilation will improve the living conditions of residents. Increased revenue: the upgrades make Grebel more appealing to students and conference guests in the summer. Sustainability: by converting to air source heat pumps for the heating, ventilation, and cooling systems, Grebel’s greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, which positively impacts the environment. 

Staff, students, and faculty created the Grebel Green Team to find ways to shrink the College’s carbon footprint. In May, the Green Team won the Greatest GHG Reduction award from Sustainability Waterloo Region after Grebel replaced the natural gas boilers with a heat pump system for the residence. When complete, the switch to electric water heating and cooling will reduce Grebel’s carbon emissions by 16.1% (a projected 76 tonnes a year), furthering Grebel’s goal of reducing emissions 35% by 2030. 

In anticipation of the second phase of construction next summer, new electrical wiring and refrigerant lines were installed in the residence corridors. Beginning in May 2026, the final two washrooms in the residence’s short ends are scheduled to be fully renovated. HVAC systems will be installed in every residence room, providing independent temperature control.  

Grebel’s Student Services and Operations teams have collaborated to provide housing for residents who have spring study terms in 2026, allowing students to continue to participate in Grebel’s residence program during renovations. 

“I definitely think that the renovation period was worth it,” said Gillian Devich, a student who lived at Grebel during the renovations this past summer and returned as a don this term. “The bathroom feels like a nicer place to be.” 

Grebel is able to improve spaces for residents thanks to the generosity of donors to the Windows to the Future capital campaign. As the campaign is wrapping up, fifteen rooms remain to be funded. Each $10,000 gift covers the cost of upgrading the HVAC system for one room, improving cooling, heating, and ventilation. This residence renewal project is a direct way to positively impact Grebel students now and for years to come.

Learn more about Grebel's Residence Renewal Campaign.

By Allie Boyd