Selkirk College students in Castlegar and Nelson will have more access to student housing as provincial funding for 148 beds in two new buildings has been approved. These new buildings will provide more on-campus housing options, while helping to reduce rental-market pressure in both communities.
“We know affordable rental housing continues to be a significant challenge in the Columbia Basin, especially for students looking to pursue their studies in the region,” said Johnny Strilaeff, president and CEO of the Trust. “We’re excited to be partnering with Selkirk College to support these two projects in Castlegar and Nelson to address the local demand, enabling skills development, supporting overall community well-being and increasing housing options that are also energy efficient.”
The three-storey Castlegar building will have 112 new student beds, and the two-storey Nelson building at the Silver King Campus will have 36 new student beds. Both buildings will include two family units and two accessible units.
Selkirk College has more than 2,800 full-time students. The college currently offers 100 beds at its existing student housing at the Castlegar campus and 109 beds at the Tenth Street campus in Nelson. It will be the first student housing offered at the Silver King campus in Nelson.
Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2022, with completion in summer 2023. The projects are estimated to add 111 direct jobs and 59 indirect jobs.
Watch the announcement event here.
