Construction starting on student housing facility at Okanagan College’s Penticton campus

Okanagan College’s Penticton campus will soon have over 100 new student beds.

Site preparation work is set to begin on the new on-campus housing facility that was announced last July.

The new building will provide a place to live for 101 students on campus for the first time.

That will include 89 units, most of which will be single bedroom units as well as some double and quad-unit rooms.

Each unit will have its own kitchen and private bedroom space, the college said in a news release on Thursday.

Anne Kang, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, said the project is expected to be finished by fall 2026.

“Once built, this new housing facility will provide students with access to affordable, on-campus housing to help ensure that all students have the support they need to thrive and learn,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure.

The province is providing $23.5 million for the project while the college is providing the remaining $500,000.

According to the province the 4,467 square-metre facility will be constructed with mass-timber elements, will meet Step 4 BC Energy Step Code and will include updated landscaping.

“We are very excited to be able to add new campus housing at our Penticton campus,” said OC President Neil Fassina.

“This building will make it easier for people to attend OC at a time when college credentials and the training we offer is incredibly valuable.”

Fassina added that housing will be provided for programs that run from September to May but there will also be options for students that don’t follow the usual school calendar in programs like the trades and health.

When this project is done, each Okanagan College campus will have on-site accommodations.

The Kelowna campus has 216 beds, Vernon has 100 and Salmon Arm has 60.