Our Two Hometowns
Lakehead University offers you two exceptional campus locations to choose from: Thunder Bay and Orillia.
Whether you want to stay a little closer to home or venture a bit further away, we provide you with both a Northwestern Ontario and Southern Ontario option. Let us tell you a little bit more about our vibrant hometowns...
Thunder Bay
Located on the north-west shore of Lake Superior, the City of Thunder Bay is built around the harbour of the largest inland port in Canada. Under the watchful gaze of the majestic Sleeping Giant, Thunder Bay is home to over 110,000 people. As the metropolitan hub for Northwestern Ontario, Thunder Bay is easy to get to from any location. Not only are we served by major and regional airlines like WestJet, Air Canada and Porter, but we also directly on the Trans-Canada Highway.
Superior By Nature
Year-round, Thunder Bay acts as the centre of a vast recreational and cultural area offering access to a wide variety of sports and activities. Winter is no time to hibernate in this city! There are two Alpine and two world-class Nordic ski centres in the area, as well as excellent curling and hockey facilities. Summer activities include sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, rock climbing, swimming, jogging, cycling, camping, fishing, hiking and golf which abound in and around numerous lakes in the area. Thunder Bay's famed Sleeping Giant was voted #1, the People's Choice in the Seven Wonders of Canada contest.
The City of Thunder Bay was designated as a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2003. Attractions include Fort William Historical Park, a 1,500 seat state-of-the-art Community Auditorium, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, the professional live Magnus Theatre, lots of community theatre, the annual Blues Festival, concerts, live bands, and much more!
In addition, a wide variety of excellent shopping opportunities exist, and no matter your taste, the choice is yours between a mix of traditional and fine dining experiences. The food scene in Thunder Bay continues to grow and is second to none!
Thunder Bay also provides you with so much more. From places of worship to cultural centres, schools, daycares, hospitals and clinics, you will find everything you need close to campus.
Check out the City of Thunder Bay online
Orillia
Located on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe, the City of Orillia is situated in one of the most picturesque and tranquil locations in Southern Ontario. The City of Orillia has a population of over 30,000 people and is located 20 minutes north of Barrie (or 90 minutes away from Toronto). Orillia has all the perks of a smaller town but will all the big city amenities.
Sandy beaches, marina, parks, and monuments complement the beautiful waterfront. Residents and visitors enjoy over 9.5 km of paved trails that stretch throughout the city. From biking, rollerblading and cross country skiing to walking and jogging, you can be active for miles.
But recreational opportunities isn't all Orillia can offer you. Enjoy the architectural beauty of the downtown area along with the neat boutiques and dining locations throughout the city. With museums, the opera house, tourist attractions, shopping, and the many festivals hosted in Orillia, you will never be bored in this vibrant city.
You can often catch a great concern at Casino Rama or a local band at one of the restaurants in the downtown core. From catching a movie with some friends to enjoying coffee or a night out bowling or rollerskating, Orillia has everything you need.