Students at Red Deer College will soon have more options when it comes to affordable, on campus housing.

This morning the College announced a new $19 million student residence, which will be built across from the under construction Gary Harris Games Centre.

Minister of Advanced Education Marlin Schmidt was on hand for the announcement, and he says not only will this benefit students of RDC, but will be ready in time to house athletes for the upcoming Canada Winter Games.

“We know that existing student residence is at capacity, and has been for some time here at Red Deer College, and that there aren’t a whole lot of other affordable options for student housing available in the rest of the community, so we think it’s important to provide RDC with the loan it needs to expand its residence here on campus. This residence will support housing the athletes who are coming to Red Deer for the 2019 Canada Winter Games.  And it’s also part of an integrated Alternatives Energy Program that RDC is constructing. It will be innovative, and show Alberta’s leadership in combating climate change and promoting alternative energy’s.”

The Alberta Government gave $16 million in funding for this project.

Some of those sustainable and energy efficient technologies incorporated into the building include open spaces with plenty of natural light, and solar panels, which will also double as a learning opportunity for those who live there.

President and CEO of RDC Joel Ward says they are planning ahead for their future and anticipated expansion of some of their programs.

“Almost all of the things we’ve been trying to get done in the last couple of years have been related to our aspirations for degree granting.  So creating the type of facilities that are going to ensure that, when growth takes places because of degree granting that we are ready, whether it’s in facilities or in residences. Our plan is to create the facilities that are necessary for the type of institution we will become.”

10% of the units located on the main floor will also be barrier-free, meaning they will be easily accessible for students with disabilities. It will also feature a multi-story atrium in the center of the building, as well as large gathering staircases on the first three floors, as well as lounges which will be located on each floor.

The College has had a student housing crisis for years now, with the wait line being as long as 500 students a semester, each hoping to be accepted into the limited dorm space.

Construction on the 145 studio suite building is expected to start right away, with a completion date of early 2019.

The new residence has been designed and planned by an integrated project team, which includes:

  • Red Deer College
  • Clark Builder (general contractor)
  • Manasc Issac (architects, landscape architects and electrical engineers)
  • Read Jones Christoffersen (structural engineers)
  • Smith + Anderson (mechanical engineers)
  • Canem Systems (electrical engineers)
  • World Class Contracting (mechanical contractors)
  • Western Archrib (laminated timber)
  • Mitec (wood frmaing)
  • Collins Steel (structural streel)
  • All Weather Windows
  • Goodmen Roofing

(L-R with shovels) Marlin Schmidt, Minister of Advanced Education; Morris Flewwelling, RDC Board Chair; and Joel Ward, RDC President & CEO with dignitaries, RDC representatives, consultants and contractors involved in the new RDC Residence project.)