Thompson Rivers University is adding 114 modular housing units meant for both international and domestic students on its Kamloops campus.

This modular housing village named ‘West Gate Dormitories’ is located on a portion of parking lot XT, at the corner of McGill Road and University Drive. Of the 239 parking spots in that underused lot, TRU says 86 will still be available to drivers once construction is complete.

Speaking to NL News, TRU Associate Vice-President of Campus Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Ancillary Services Warren Asuchak, says they’ve worked with the City to ensure these units are compliant after a previous proposal by the university to add temporary portable housing units was declined by Kamloops City Council.

“We’re still working to sort some of these out like with some of the HVAC and fire access and things like that,” he said.

“We have all our engineers involved, a lot of contractors involved doing everything we can to meet BC Building Code recognizing there would be an overlap with doing these upgrades at the same time we’re installing in order to meet our Jan. 6 deadline.”

Crews began building this modular housing village last Thursday, Dec. 9. It is expected to open to students on Jan. 8, 2022, and its expected to be in place until April 2023, though it could be extended until December of that year.

“We know students are struggling to find a place to live due to exceptional circumstances that have stressed the Kamloops housing supply,” Asuchak said.

“Using an underused parking lot is a good allocation of our land resources to help address the need for more student accommodations and TRU thanks the City of Kamloops for supporting this temporary solution.”

A self-contained private room with a washroom will cost students $2,000 for the winter semester and $2,400 for the summer semester.

“They are very nice. They are very clean. They seem like they are brand new units to me, they’re in great shape,” Asuchak added.

“Each room has their own shower, their own washroom, their own TV, own microwave, own fridge, and you know, we’re going to be doing some upgrades to the internet for these buildings. I think they’re going to be great.”

Students interested in applying for these units can do so here.