Building the Waterloo Eye Institute: Patient FAQ

We are building the Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI), a $53 million initiative to form Canada’s premier optometric centre. The WEI will push the boundaries of eye and vision care, optometric education and vision research. A once-in-a-generation project, it will create 68,000 square feet of new and renovated space. 

While the Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI) is under construction, the main Waterloo clinic and all its services has moved to a nearby interim location at 419 Phillip St, Unit C, Waterloo. The interim location opened on October 21, 2024 and is expected to remain open until the WEI opens in fall 2026.

Here are some answers to questions you might have about the move and the construction process. 

• What is the Waterloo Eye Institute project? Why now? 
• Have you raised all the money you need to build the Waterloo Eye Institute?
• How long is the construction expected to last?
• Why has the Waterloo clinic moved?
• Where did the Waterloo clinic move to? How can I get there?
• Where can I park? How much does it cost?
• How do I enter the Waterloo clinic?
• I have an appointment at the Kitchener location. Will it be affected?
• Is the interim location providing the same level of care and all specialized services?
• Is the interim location accessible to people with disabilities?
• Will the Optical Dispensary still have the same full range of lenses and frames?
• Will I be able to see my usual doctor?
• Will there be any changes to the way I check in or pay at the interim location?
• Will my appointment time or location be moved? If so, how will I know?
• Will phone numbers remain the same?
• Is there anywhere to eat nearby?

The current clinic was originally built in 1974. In the 50 years since, clinical practice has greatly evolved and expanded. While we have had some minor renovations, significant changes are needed to improve efficiency and expand services for our patients and to reflect current optometry practice.  

The Waterloo Eye Institute project is an expansion, renovation and rebranding of the current clinic. The additional space will allow us to make significant enhancements to our patient care facilities, improving accessibility, wayfinding and patient flow. More space and natural light in our optical dispensary will enhance the experience of finding the eyewear that’s right for you. There will also be a new teleoptometry centre that will allow us to virtually bring our world-class patient care to underserved and remote areas.  

The project will also allow us to expand our research facilities. The work conducted in the tentatively named Canadian Vision Imaging Centre and in new biomedical sciences research facilities could lead to the development of new treatments and techniques to help patients. Expanded clinical research space will help us bring science from the lab to the clinic and could result in the introduction of new treatments, techniques and technologies that advance patient care.

These improvements will serve students as well, expanding clinical experiences and giving them access to state-of-the-art equipment and fit-for-purpose facilities to help advance optometric education to the highest standard in North America.

No, we have raised $28 million of our $35 million goal. This is enough to start construction but the fundraising campaign continues. To learn more or make a gift, visit our Seeing Beyond 20/20 campaign site. Together we can help people see.

Construction began in fall 2024 (some exterior preparatory work began in summer 2024) and is expected to continue for two years. Clinic services are continuing at the 419 Phillip Street interim location throughout this time. The tentative Waterloo Eye Institute opening date is fall 2026.

The Waterloo clinic normally located at 200 Columbia St. W. has moved to an interim location at 419 Phillip St, Unit C, Waterloo to minimize disruption to patients and ensure accessibility while the Waterloo Eye Institute is under construction.

The interim clinic location is at 419 Phillip St., Unit C, Waterloo. This is approximately a three-minute drive or 10-minute walk from the School of Optometry and Vision Science at 200 Columbia St. W.

To get there by car, exit Highway 85 at either University Ave. or King St. N. and make your way to Columbia St. Heading west on Columbia St., turn right (north) onto Phillip St.

To walk there from the main University of Waterloo campus, go east on Columbia St and turn left onto Phillip St.

If you are cycling, exit the Laurel Trail and cross the rail tracks at the Research & Technology Ion (LRT) stop. Follow the path to Phillip St. and turn right.

The interim location is about a 500m walk from the Research & Technology Ion station. Several Grand River Transit bus stops are located within about 10 minutes’ walk. The location is also a 10-minute walk from the University of Waterloo terminal of the GO bus. Accessible transportation services such as MobilityPlus will be able to take you to the door.

While you are in the building, you can take advantage of the free, designated patient parking at 419 Phillip St., along the north and west sides of the building.

Please use the north driveway (signposted) at 419 Phillip St. There are designated spots near the patient entrance for those displaying an accessible parking permit.

The entrance to the clinic is located on the north side of 419 Phillip St. Unit C is closer to the rear of the building (i.e. further from Phillip St). Once you enter through the signposted double glass doors, turn left to access the registration desk. 

No, the Health Sciences Optometry Clinic in downtown Kitchener will continue its normal operations.

Yes, the interim location will provide the same high level of care and all specialized services are available with the usual equipment, facilities and qualified personnel.

Yes, the location is accessible to those with low vision and/or mobility challenges. Ramps and accessible washrooms are available. We also continue to offer accessible vision care for people with developmental disabilities. If you need assistance or have specific questions, our staff will be happy to help.

Our full range of lenses and frames continues to be available, but there may be fewer frame colours and variations on display. Ask our staff if there are more choices available in a particular style. We also have a virtual catalogue that allows you to try on frames in the comfort of your own home and make a list of styles you’d like to try on in person.

All our clinical personnel, including our optometrists, have moved to the interim location. Our student interns are on a rotation system, so you may not see the same student, but this is not a change from the way things operated at 200 Columbia St. W.

Yes, there is now a single check-in desk for all services, all of which are on a single floor. Our staff will still help you get to where you need to go. We are also making some process changes that should make the check-in, check-out and payment processes more efficient. Prices have not changed as a result of the move, though they will continue to be reviewed as necessary.

In general, scheduled appointment times will be honoured. If you already have an appointment at the Waterloo location, all you have to do is show up at 419 Phillip St, Unit C, instead of our regular Columbia St. location. In the rare event we need to change any scheduled appointment times, we will contact you.

If you have an appointment at our Kitchener location, nothing will change.

Yes, all phone numbers remain the same.

There is no food for sale onsite, but there is a plaza on Phillip Street, near Albert, a two-minute drive or 10-minute walk away, with a Tim Horton’s, Little Caesars Pizza, Ming’s Chinese Restaurant, Koh-I-Noor Indian Restaurant, The Cactus Mexican Restaurant and more.