A new $40-million residence could be on the horizon for students at University of Alberta in Edmonton. Scheduled for completion in 2018, construction of Lister Hall Five will proceed as soon as the province approves borrowing the money to build the residence, which aims to accommodate 520 first-year students.

The university’s new president, David Turpin, recently outlined his vision for the new residence, which would be part of a broader plan to get more students living on campus and involved in local business, community groups and agencies.

“One of the key areas is to provide more opportunity for engagement with the community, internships, co-op placements so they can contribute in the community and bring ideas back to campus,” he said.

Turpin also said he expects there will be pressure to expand student enrolment as more students opt for higher education. But just how big the University of Alberta will grow is uncertain, and will be examined in the provincial review of the post-secondary sector announced in the spring by the NDP provincial government.

Referencing another proposal for expansion, Turpin said the downtown Galleria project would offer space for both students and the fine arts faculty, but said that project is up to city council.

“We are more than happy to partner with the city in terms of a number of downtown initiatives, the Galleria being an important one,” he said. “If the city is interested in moving forward, we’ll be there with them.”