Construction on the first student housing project at North Island College (NIC) is underway in the Comox Valley.
The two student housing buildings will provide 217 beds for students, including 157 beds in one building and 60 beds for students with families in a separate building.
The buildings will offer a variety of options, ranging from two-bedroom family student housing to quad (individual bedrooms with shared living areas) and studio apartments for individual students. Nine of the units will be accessible for people with disabilities, and the buildings include common areas such as interfaith rooms, a community food garden, play areas and outdoor gathering spaces.
Urban One Builders and HDR are overseeing the design, engineering and construction of the housing project.
“Working together, NIC strives to build healthy and thriving communities, one student at a time. Inclusive, affordable and supportive student housing is vitally important to our ability to fulfil this important mission,” said Lisa Domae, president, North Island College.
Located near the Comox Valley Aquatic Centre, the housing will be close to amenities such as child care, restaurants, public schools, health services, and businesses. Construction will feature mass timber and comply with Step 4 of the BC Energy Code Step Code, the highest standard for commercial buildings in terms of energy efficiency.
The project incorporates many Indigenous elements, from the design influenced by west coast plank houses, to opportunities for Indigenous art-and-design elements, to the presence of NIC’s first Indigenous gathering place at the Comox Valley campus.
The B.C. government has allocated $68.5 million towards this $77.1-million project, which is expected to be completed by summer 2025.
This student housing initiative is part of the “Homes for People” plan, which aims to develop 12,000 student beds on campuses throughout the province to alleviate pressure on local rental markets. To date, 7,766 student beds are complete or underway, with the 2023 Budget allocating $1.1 billion for on-campus housing.
