Students attending Thompson Rivers University (TRU) officially have access to new housing options near campus.
On Wednesday, TRU celebrated the opening of a 148-bed student residence in the East Village area off Dalgleish Drive.
In July 2022, Kamloops City Council approved the rezoning for the property which paved the way for the new building which has 80 rooms with a mix of single and double occupancy, common study areas and kitchen spaces.
A release from the university says demand is high for student housing and around 25 students accepted an offer to move in mid-semester.
“The new residence not only addresses the growing demand for affordable student accommodation, but also reflects our dedication to fostering a supportive and enriching campus environment,” said TRU President and Vice-Chancellor Brett Fairbairn.
“Secure and affordable housing is an important part of what enables students to succeed in their studies.”
The building has been named Sk̓elepéllcw (Coyote Den) in honour and recognition of the traditional lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc territory.
The building was built in a short amount of time. Kamloops City Council approved the rezoning for the property in July 2022 and shovels were in the ground by that fall.
The provincial government invested $10.85 million toward the $18-million development, with TRU contributing nearly $8 million.
This building is just the first phase of a three-phase plan for TRU to build three new student housing buildings at East Village.
“To support the next phase, the project includes a site build-out for the future student housing builds, including utility relocation and asphalt paving of the parking lot,” the release states.
