A fresh chapter of post-secondary life, affordability and access was officially opened on the Castlegar Campus with the completion of a 114-bed student housing facility overlooking the majestic Columbia River.
Part of the Provincial Government's Homes for People Action Plan, the Selkirk College project is a two-pronged housing solution that includes 36 units of student housing that opened on Nelson's Silver King Campus in the spring. First announced in October 2021 and breaking ground in November 2022, the $37.7 million project increases the college's on-campus housing by 71 per cent.
"As a representative of this region and a proud Selkirk College alumna, I'm thrilled to see our government invest in student housing that benefits both our students and local communities," says Katrine Conroy, Kootenay West MLA and the province's finance minister. "These new spaces will provide affordable, below-market housing options for learners, allowing them to focus on their studies without the stress of finding a place to live. This investment supports the future of our workforce, while also easing pressure on the tight rental market in our region."
Selkirk College students, staff, members of the college's board governors and leadership team members joined community leaders and project contractors for a historic photo in front of the new student housing facility on the Castlegar Campus that was officially opened on September 13.
Students began moving into the new facility in preparation for the fall term on August 23. An exciting addition to a campus that brought regional post-secondary learning options to Castlegar starting in 1966, the new housing includes fully furnished rooms, modern study spaces, spacious common kitchens, laundry facilities, a fully stocked student lounge, an Indigenous gathering space, four accessible units and easy access to classes.
"Providing on-campus housing makes our campuses more vibrant places," says Selkirk College President Maggie Matear. "The new Castlegar Campus complex not only has a beautiful view overlooking the river, but also provides a secure, affordable housing option that contributes to the exceptional post-secondary experience we want to provide our graduates."
Using a combination of modular-build and site-built construction, the Castlegar Campus student housing project was created under a design-build contract with Scott Builders and architectural work provided by Nelson-based Cover Architectural Collaborative. The three-storey building came together using pre-fabricated pods being trucked in from southern Alberta and stacked using massive cranes. Regional subtrades then went to work building the adjacent common spaces and the finishing details required to bring the housing to completion.
Aligned with the Province's CleanBC plan, the buildings were constructed using natural products. Both buildings have achieved Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code and meet CleanBC's energy-efficiency requirements for new buildings. The student housing buildings on both campuses were constructed with mass timber and modular wood materials, aligning with B.C.'s Wood First Initiative.
"The new student housing facility on the Castlegar Campus exceeds our expectations," says Donna Drover, the college's director of facilities & business services. "It required a tremendous amount of work from our own team and all of the contractors who helped build this beautiful new home for students. By providing this important option to current and future learners, these units will also help ease pressure on the local housing market and play a role in strengthening the region overall."
A consistent supporter of post-secondary education across the region, Columbia Basin Trust provided $1.6 million of funding to the project. For the $26.62 million Castlegar Campus facility, the funds were used to build a stunning timber breezeway that connects the new facility with the existing 100-unit facility that was built in 1992.
"Access to affordable, safe housing is essential for students' success and well-being," says Johnny Strilaeff, president and CEO of Columbia Basin Trust. "This new housing allows students from the Columbia Basin and beyond to focus on their studies and feel connected to the community. We're proud to partner with Selkirk College to support resilient, vibrant communities."
Third-year Rural Pre-Medicine Program student Adrianna Froese first arrived to Selkirk College in September 2022 after graduating high school in Oliver, BC. The 20-year-old was accepted to six different post-secondaries, but chose to begin her studies in the West Kootenay because of the unique program and access to affordable on-campus housing.
For her first two years of study, Froese lived in the existing on-campus housing while the new housing took shape right next door. Taking full advantage of easy access to classes, on-campus recreational facilities and an abundance of student life experiences, she moved over to the new facility upon her return for a final year of studies at Selkirk College.
"The new student housing is gorgeous," says Froese, who plans on transferring to complete her undergraduate degree and then continuing on with her goal of eventually becoming a physician. "I grew up in a place with amazing views and nature, but getting to come to post-secondary and live in a such a peaceful location like this is pretty special. Incoming students should be excited about on-campus housing because there is so much opportunity to mix with people from other programs and other countries. It's a built-in community while you go to school where you will meet new friends and this has resulted in me achieving better results in the classroom."
Learn more about student housing at Selkirk College.
