In the fall of 2025, the Student Housing Commons at North Island College (NIC) in Courtenay at the Comox Valley campus will be a new home for students heading to fall classes.
鈥淪tudent housing is more than just a place to sleep鈥攚e know that it is a community where students can find belonging, support, and the space to grow personally and academically,鈥� said Mez Jiwaji, associate director, Student Life. 鈥淪tudent housing is also a space where lifelong friendships are built, and the foundations for future successes are laid.鈥�
While the new student housing is under construction, Student Life is currently working with the rest of the college community to write policy and handbooks, select furniture for the dorms and prepare the application and room assignment process.
Urban One is the general contractor for the project, and construction work started last September following preparation to clear the site, and it continues toward completion.
鈥淭he structures are now complete. We鈥檙e working hard to close the buildings in, so the buildings are water-tight for the winter weather,鈥� said Allan Beron, Urban One president. 鈥淲ork is starting to move inside.鈥�
The housing being built is in response from students stating that housing was one of their greatest needs at the college. In Feb. of 2022, the provincial government announced funding for housing. In Jan. 2023, land was cleared for construction and NIC and K鈥櫭砿oks First Nation held a site blessing.
Indigeneity has been in the forefront, with involvement of the K鈥櫭砿oks First Nation helping plan the project. The housing will feature Indigenous art and other elements.
The completed project will provide housing for 217 students with a mix of different housing set ups. There will be single occupant units (nano and studio suites), quad units for up to four people and family units for students with dependents. Applications for housing will open in early 2025.
鈥淭here is growing excitement as we look forward to January 2025 when we will open student housing applications for the Fall 2025 term,鈥� Jiwaji said. 鈥淐ompetitions to recruit staff and student employees for housing will open in Spring 2025.鈥�
