For decades, Selkirk College has been a cornerstone of education and opportunity in British Columbia’s Kootenay region. Established in 1966, it has grown to serve over 2,700 full-time students—alongside 600 international learners—across 60 nationally accredited programs.
Known for fostering a close-knit community and celebrating diversity, Selkirk has long championed accessibility and innovation in education. Yet, as the college expands its enrollment, the availability of affordable student housing has remained a challenge.
For years, students at Selkirk’s Castlegar and Nelson campuses have faced a competitive rental market, with limited options that often come at a premium. Recognizing this critical barrier to growth and student success, Selkirk College, with the support of British Columbia’s Homes for People Action Plan, embarked on a transformative $37.7 million project to address the issue. The initiative added 150 new student beds across two campuses, boosting the college’s on-campus housing capacity by an impressive 71 percent.
“These new housing units are more than just buildings—they’re a lifeline for students struggling to find safe and affordable accommodations,” said Donna Drover, Selkirk College’s Director of Facilities. “It’s also a win for the broader community, easing pressure on the local rental market.”
With construction led by Scott Builders, the project brought to life two state-of-the-art student housing facilities: a 114-bed building at the Castlegar campus and a 36-bed facility at Nelson’s Silver King campus. These additions are part of a broader vision to ensure that every student not only has a place to live but a place to thrive.
Breaking ground in November 2022, the student housing projects represented a leap forward in both construction technique and teamwork. Delivered under a design-build contract with Scott Builders, the initiative combined modular and site-built construction to overcome the logistical challenges of working in remote locations.
At Castlegar, three-story modular units were prefabricated in southern Alberta and transported through winding mountain passes before being carefully assembled on-site using massive cranes. Regional subcontractors then built out the common areas and finishing details.
“The site’s remote location made staffing and material sourcing difficult, and transporting the modular units was another layer of complexity,” said Derrick Bentley, Project Manager at Scott Builders. “We had to avoid winter entirely and plan every delivery with precision.”
Despite the logistical hurdles, the modular approach offered a strategic advantage, saving time and reducing on-site construction risks.
But the project's success was as much about the process as the construction itself. Scott Builders adopted a collaborative design-build approach, meeting regularly with Selkirk College, Colliers (the owner’s representative), and consultants over six months to refine the design, align the budget, and secure necessary permits.
“This wasn’t a traditional delivery method—it was a deeply collaborative process,” Bentley explained. “ We worked closely with stakeholders across the college to ensure the design captured their needs, meeting every one to two weeks to make adjustments, value engineer the project, and keep costs in check.”
The new student housing buildings at Selkirk College were designed with the modern learner in mind, incorporating sustainable materials, energy-efficient practices, and thoughtful communal spaces. Aligning with British Columbia’s Wood First Initiative and CleanBC plan, the buildings feature mass timber construction and modular wood materials, showcasing the province’s commitment to using natural resources in innovative ways.
“BC’s Wood First Initiative was a key factor in the design, and the college wanted to explore modular construction as well,” said Bentley. “The result is a combination of modular units for the student housing floors and mass timber for the common areas, showcasing the beauty of natural materials.”
The design achieves Step 4 of the BC Energy Step Code, meeting stringent energy-efficiency standards that align with CleanBC’s vision for a sustainable future. By using natural materials like mass timber and emphasizing efficiency, the project sets a new standard for environmentally conscious student housing.
Inside, the buildings were designed to foster a sense of community and provide everything today’s students need to thrive. Fully accessible communal areas include study spaces, large kitchens, dining spaces, game rooms, and laundry facilities on every floor. On the Castlegar campus, a covered walkway seamlessly connects the new building with the existing 100-unit student housing facility, further enhancing convenience for students.
“When you think of student housing, this is definitely higher-end,” Bentley added. “Students have spacious common areas and essential amenities that create a built-in community, making life easier and more enjoyable.”
Selkirk College’s new student housing buildings are more than just places to live—they are spaces thoughtfully designed to reflect the values of the community they serve. Central to this vision is the inclusion of dedicated spiritual spaces for reflection, incorporating Indigenous traditions such as smudging. These areas align with Selkirk College’s ongoing Indigenization efforts, honouring the culture and traditions of the Indigenous students and local communities.
“The relationship with local Indigenous groups is incredibly important,” said Bentley. “Many of the students who attend the college are members of these communities, so it was essential to incorporate Indigenous architecture and cultural elements into the design.”
One of the standout features is the circular design of the spiritual spaces, a form significant in Indigenous culture. These areas are designed for ceremonies and gatherings, with features like glass walls and an elders' room to provide an inviting and functional environment for traditional practices. “These spaces were a priority for the college,” Bentley explained. “While they required significant square footage and investment, their importance to the community was clear, and we worked to ensure they met the vision.”
Beyond cultural inclusion, the buildings emphasize accessibility to ensure all students feel welcome and supported. Though not officially certified by the Rick Hansen Foundation, the project incorporates many of its design guidelines to create barrier-free environments. Features such as accessible units, wide hallways, and thoughtful layouts demonstrate the college’s commitment to inclusivity.
“With accessibility being such a big focus these days, we wanted to make sure the buildings were as barrier-free as possible,” said Bentley. “Incorporating elements from the Rick Hansen Foundation guidelines helped ensure these spaces are usable for everyone.”
By blending cultural respect with inclusive design, Selkirk College’s new housing facilities provide more than shelter—they create a sense of belonging and community for all students, fostering an environment where traditions are celebrated and accessibility is prioritized.
On August 23, students moved into the newly completed facilities, ushering in a new chapter for Selkirk College. Fully furnished and designed for both practicality and connection, the buildings provide a hub for academic and personal growth.
For third-year Rural Pre-Medicine student Adrianna Froese, the housing has been transformative. Originally from Oliver, B.C., Froese chose Selkirk for its unique programs and affordable on-campus living. “The new student housing is gorgeous,” Froese shared. “It’s a built-in community where you can meet new friends, mix with people from other programs, and achieve better results in the classroom.”
More than just buildings, Selkirk College’s new housing represents opportunity, connection, and progress. By integrating sustainability, cultural respect, and inclusivity, the college is setting a benchmark for student housing in the region.