By Michelle Nordstrom
More students will be able to live where they study at Thompson Rivers University’s Kamloops campus.
“We’re excited to add nearly 150 new student beds to Thompson Rivers University’s Kamloops campus,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “Post-secondary students need access to affordable housing to pursue their studies and lay the foundation for their future, helping to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. We are committed to helping students by building thousands of new student beds throughout B.C. With this increase of on-campus housing, we are now 97% of the way toward our goal of 8,000 new student housing beds by 2028.”
The Province and Thompson Rivers University are partnering to build a permanent modular four-storey, 80-room, 148-student bed building. Modular housing is prefabricated housing that is built off-site in a factory and transported to the site for assembly. This approach has many advantages, including cost and time savings. The student housing is set for completion by summer 2023.
“On-campus student housing at TRU is always in high demand,” said Brett Fairbairn, president of TRU. “This housing project will provide students with an extremely attractive and affordable option. These new units will also help to alleviate pressure on the rental market in Kamloops, which benefits the whole community. We are grateful to the Province for their significant investment in this student housing project.”
The new permanent modular student housing will be built on the vacant portion of Thompson Rivers University’s East Village. This development is Phase 1 of a three-phase plan for the university to build three student-housing buildings. To support this plan, the modular student housing project includes site preparation for future student housing, including utility relocation and paving the parking lot.
“It’s a relief to know that there will be more options for convenient and affordable housing,” said Chris Coulthard, a TRU student living in East Village. “Without secure housing, it’s extremely difficult to focus on studies or to enjoy the post-secondary experience.”
Government is investing $10.85 million, while Thompson Rivers University is contributing $7.91 million toward the total project cost of $18.76 million. This student housing project is part of Homes for BC, a 10-year housing plan to build 114,000 units throughout the province by 2028, including 8,000 on-campus student beds.
Work on this project helps progress StrongerBC’s Future Ready Plan, which is making education and training more accessible, affordable and relevant to help businesses grow and prepare British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow.
Learn more about Thompson Rivers University: https://www.tru.ca/
~ Michelle Nordstrom is Senior Communications Consultant for Thompson Rivers University
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