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News: Expanding into Eastern Ontario through the acquisition of Fishburn Sheridan & Associates

The Working Centre | 97 Victoria
Community Spaces

The Working Centre | 97 Victoria

Location

Kitchener

Partners

BNKC Architects, The Working Centre

Project overview

2026 Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards Winner

The 97 Victoria project in Kitchener is a transformative community initiative addressing homelessness through 44 units of supportive housing integrated with health, social, and community services. MTE Consultants contributed reduced-fee services, delivering multidisciplinary engineering alongside project partners. The project expands and restores an existing building while preserving its historic character, creating a sustainable, inclusive campus that fosters stability, dignity, and connection for vulnerable individuals.

Each resident will benefit from a robust support network, including access to medical services and assistance in navigating community systems. To promote accessibility, 26% of the units will be fully wheelchair accessible, ensuring the space is inclusive for all residents. The housing will be income-based and affordable, removing financial barriers and prioritizing those most in need. This initiative aligns closely with the Region of Waterloo’s homelessness strategy and will be accessible through a prioritized housing waitlist.

MTE's Involvement

MTE Consultants contributed reduced-fee services, delivering multidisciplinary engineering alongside project partners. Our staff played an active role in developing detailed designs, resolving site constraints, and providing supplemental instructions during construction to adapt to unforeseen conditions. Together, the housing and updated community spaces will form a supportive environment where individuals are empowered to thrive.

MTE is proud to have played a key role in this important project by providing a range of multi-disciplinary engineering and surveying services. Our Surveying team completed a topographic survey and developed a reference plan, laying the groundwork for effective site planning. Our Environmental team prepared conducted a Designated Substance Audit (DSA), ensuring environmental safety and regulatory compliance. Additionally, our Geotechnical team performed soil sampling and material testing, informing foundational decisions for the site’s redevelopment.

Our Civil team prepared a site plan for the third floor and developed the design for a west wing addition to the existing building. These efforts were focused on optimizing spatial use and improving the overall functionality of the facility. Our Structural team contributed by delivering structural assessments, preparing detailed design drawings, and conducting field reviews for both the third-floor addition and the new building—ensuring all components met the highest standards of safety and quality.

MTE is honoured to have supported The Working Centre in delivering this transformative project, one that directly contributes to the well-being of our community’s most vulnerable individuals while setting a benchmark for inclusive and compassionate development.