Construction has begun on a student-housing project for the first time at Camosun College’s Lansdowne campus.
The six-storey building will offer students more options for affordable housing while helping ease pressure on the local housing market. It will include:
- a mix of single-bedroom dorms, as well as studio and four-bedroom apartment-style units that provide a total of 429 student beds
- temporary accommodation space for students in crisis, ensuring people have a safe space to stay in times of need
- amenities including a coffee shop, a meeting space and secured bicycle parking spaces
- communal laundry rooms, lounges and quiet study rooms on every floor
The building will be designed to create a welcoming space aligned with Indigenous culture and values. Construction will also strive for environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, targeting BC Energy Step Code Level 4 and LEED Platinum certification.
“Building the first-ever student housing at Camosun College is a major step forward for the campus community,” said Minister of Infrastructure Bowinn Ma. “This new building will give students modern, sustainable spaces to live, study and build community, while strengthening the infrastructure the college needs for the future.”
The province is providing $151.7 million for the project and Camosun College is contributing $3 million.
The new student-housing building is expected to be ready in early 2029.
