Okanagan College in Kelowna, B.C. is set to double its on-campus student housing with the completion of a new building on K.L.O. Road and Campus West Road. The government is taking action to provide safe, secure, and affordable housing close to campus for students. The six-storey building, featuring elements of mass timber and unique designs from Indigenous artists, will add 216 rooms to the campus housing, in addition to the existing 144 rooms at Skaha Place. This is part of a larger initiative to build 4,000 on-campus beds to allow students to live where they learn and ease the pressure on the local rental market.
Located on traditional Indigenous territories, Okanagan College works with Indigenous communities and artists to incorporate unique artwork into its campuses. For the new student housing in Kelowna, artist Les Louis, an Okanagan College alumnus from the Lower Similkameen Band, has created story pole designs near the interior entrance. Syilx artist Clint George’s feather sculpture is integrated into the building’s exterior solar shades. This showcases the college’s commitment to acknowledging and honoring the Indigenous Nations on whose lands they operate.
In addition to the new student housing in Kelowna, Okanagan College is opening its first-ever on-campus student housing facilities in Vernon and Salmon Arm. Construction of 100 rooms in Vernon and 60 rooms in Salmon Arm is nearing completion, with all three buildings set to open this fall. Applications are currently being accepted from interested students, providing more opportunities for students to live on campus and engage with their studies and the college community.
The increase in on-campus student housing at Okanagan College is part of a larger effort by the government to address the housing challenges facing students. Over the past seven years, 7,766 student housing beds have been built, with plans for an additional 4,000 beds. This initiative aims to provide students with the opportunity to live where they learn, allowing them to focus on their studies and reducing the strain on the local rental market. The new housing facilities in Kelowna, Vernon, and Salmon Arm are a step towards meeting the growing demand for student housing in the region.
The completion of the new student housing building at Okanagan College reflects the college’s commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for students. By incorporating Indigenous artwork and designs into the building, the college recognizes and honors the traditional territories on which it operates. This effort to collaborate with Indigenous communities and artists not only enriches the campus environment but also highlights the importance of acknowledging and respecting Indigenous cultures and histories.
Overall, the expansion of on-campus student housing at Okanagan College in Kelowna, Vernon, and Salmon Arm demonstrates the commitment to providing students with safe, affordable, and convenient housing options. With the addition of new facilities and rooms, more students will have the opportunity to live on campus, engage with their studies, and contribute to the college community. By working with Indigenous artists and communities to incorporate unique artwork into the buildings, Okanagan College continues to promote a diverse and inclusive campus environment.
