Wednesday July 17, 2024 | SAANICH, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Starting in 2027, Camosun College students will have access to on-campus student housing for the first time!
For decades Camosun College students at both campuses have had to find accommodations in the surrounding city areas.
The Lansdowne campus is in Saanich on Foul Bay Road near Oak Bay (and also relatively nearby to the University of Victoria campus), and the Interurban Campus is in the Burnside/Interurban western side of Saanich.
Provincial funding has come through for a new 423-bed student housing project at the Lansdowne campus. This will help free up rental spaces in the community for non-student workers and families and will help parents in supporting the cost of education for their young adult children.
The six-storey building will have 423 student beds in single, studio and quad unit types. The building will be constructed using mass timber, while targeting LEED Platinum Standards.
Summertime announcement:
This summertime announcement was held at the Lansdowne campus. On hand for the announcement were Murray Rankin MLA (Oak Bay -Gordon Head), Rob Fleming MLA (Victoria-Swan Lake), Ravi Parmar (Parliamentary Secretary for International Credentials), Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock, and Saanich Councillor Zac de Vries, hosted by Camosun President Dr Lane Trotter.
This is election season. Neither Rankin nor Fleming are seeking re-election in the October 19, 2024 provincial election. Parmar will be seeking re-election in Langford-Highlands (outgoing riding name is Langford-Juan de Fuca).
Student housing by government:
“Our government has been making historic investments in on-campus student housing to support students in their academic journeys, including the very first student residence at Camosun College,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills in a news release.
“This project builds on the thousands of student beds already built or underway across B.C., making it easier for students to get the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Beare.
The total project cost is $154.7 million, with the provincial government providing $151.7 million and Camosun College providing the remaining $3 million. The project is expected to be complete and ready for students to move in for fall 2027.
Other new student housing underway on Vancouver Island:
- 217 beds at North Island College. Total cost is $77.9 million ($75.9 million provincial funding).
- 266 new student housing beds at Vancouver Island University. Total cost is $87.8 million ($87 million provincial funding).
The University of Victoria opened its first 398-bed building with dining facilities in September 2022. The second 385-bed building opened in September 2023, for a total of 783 new beds (621 net new and 162 replacement beds). Total project cost is $242.5 million ($127.7 million provincial funding).
Secure and affordable:
“Secure, stable and affordable housing is essential for students to succeed in their studies,” said Murray Rankin, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. “Having student housing available at Camosun College’s Lansdowne campus will also help alleviate pressure on Victoria’s rental market, a lasting benefit to our entire community.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the provincial government in helping the college achieve its priority of affordable on-campus student housing,” said Lane Trotter, president, Camosun College. “On-campus housing brings various social, academic and personal benefits, including greater retention rates, while freeing up rental spaces in the surrounding communities.”
