More students will be able to live on campus at the University of Victoria starting 2022.
According to an update by the University, they are currently in the planning stages of building brand new residences and a new dining hall that will house and feed approximately 600 more students.
The move is a response to student feedback about current housing, specifically on room furnishings, interior common rooms, outdoor landscape design, and meal plan options.
Goodbye to the old
To make room for these new buildings, the university is getting rid of Cadboro Commons – the structure that houses the campus’s main dining hall, plus additional eateries like Village Greens and Caps Bistro.
The new building will include conference, meeting and academic space on the main floor with student residences on the upper floors.
They will also take the place of the existing but outdated residences, Emily Carr and Margaret Newton. These buildings are both located in the Ring Road neighbourhood.
The new residence at this location will be built first, and is slated to have a dining hall on the main floor, with dorm rooms above it.
The increased living space on campus is expected to reduce parking needs, but no existing parking spots will be compromised as a result of this project.
The construction will occur in stages so that there is always a dining hall and central food services available to students. However, according to UVic Media Relations manager Denise Helm, there will be a period of time when there are fewer beds than what is currently available until both structures are complete.
Construction will take place between 2020 and 2024, and students can start moving in to their brand new dorms by 2022.
Here’s how you can get involved
Have some thoughts on this project? The university is hosting open houses on- and off-campus to provide more information and encourage responses from the student and general community.
On-Campus Open House
- When: Thursday, March 8th, 11 AM – 2 PM
- Where: University Centre Lobby
Off-Campus Open House
- When: Saturday, March 10th, 1 PM – 4 PM
- Where: Gordon Head Recreation Centre Auditorium
