Construction has begun on the first-ever student housing building at Camosun College, a six-storey residence with 429 beds located on the Lansdowne campus.
Architect's rendering of the new Lansdowne Student Housing
Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake and Diana Gibson, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, attended the official groundbreaking for the project, along with Kevin Murdoch, Mayor of Oak Bay and Lindsay Kearns, Chair, Camosun College Board of Governors.
"Building the first ever student housing at Camosun College is a major step forward for the campus community," said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. "This new building will give students modern, sustainable spaces to live, study, and build community, while strengthening the infrastructure the college needs for the future."
"Student housing is vital for the college community and will be a game-changer for many students."
- Riley Lam, Student Society
The $154.7-million project, funded primarily by the Province of British Columbia with a $3-million contribution from the college, is expected to be completed in the 2028/29 academic year.
"On-campus student housing at Camosun College will provide students with safe, supportive places to live so they can focus on their studies and succeed," adds Minister Sunner. "Building student housing is a key part of our government's commitment to ensuring accessible and affordable post-secondary education for students across British Columbia."
The Lansdowne Student Housing project will include a mix of single (dormitory-style), studio (single suite) and quad (four-bedroom, apartment style) units in a region that has historically experienced some of the lowest vacancy rates in the country.
"We are grateful for the Province's investment in student housing," says Lindsay Kearns, Chair of the Board of Governors and alumna of the Electrical program. "I look forward to seeing the campus community grow as a result of on-campus housing."
The 15,382-square-metre building - located along Foul Bay Road across from the Dawson Building - will help foster a vibrant campus community with space for programming and social events, fitness, studying, wellness and reflection.
"It's exciting to see the student housing project finally come to life," says Riley Lam, Lansdowne Executive, Student Society. "Student housing is vital for the college community and will be a game-changer for many students."
Indigenous and former youth-in-care students will be given priority. The building will include temporary accommodation space for students in crisis. Amenities include a coffee shop, a rental meeting space and secured bicycle parking spaces."
"On-campus housing has many academic, personal and social benefits including greater retention rates, while freeing up rental spaces in the surrounding community," says Dr. Lane Trotter, President, Camosun College. "Living on campus gives students better access to academic and wellness supports, and strengthens their connections to peers, which allows them to focus on their education."
The building will integrate universal design principles, creating an accessible and inclusive environment. Special emphasis has been put on features like non-denominational reflection. Indoor and outdoor design elements include culturally relevant and welcoming space with Indigenous needs and values.
"It's great to see this housing progressing: we appreciate the college and Province working so closely together to advance the project at Lansdowne," says Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch. "Adding more student housing will alleviate some urgent housing pressure and address real housing needs, and of course we're pleased 118 of the units will count towards the District's Provincial housing targets."
Sustainability measures are included in the design and operation of the building. The building aligns with CleanBC initiatives and targets BC Energy Step Code Level 4 and LEED Platinum certification. Climate change mitigation strategies include sustainable cooling, improved air filtration and drainage designed for increased rainfall volume.
More information about the Lansdowne Student Housing project is available at camosun.ca/student-housing.
