Released on April 11, 2013
The Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina today marked the beginning of a new student housing project that will provide 605 post-secondary students with a safe, quality place to call home. As part of the 2013-14 Budget, the province is contributing $10 million toward the construction of the building, in addition to $1 million that was invested in 2012-13 to assist in the planning and design of the residence.
“Our government understands that a strong provincial economy is having an impact on the availability and affordability of student housing,” Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude said. “Supporting projects such as this is something that we strongly believe in. This $10 million is money well invested to improve the quality of life of post-secondary students from Saskatchewan and around the world as they pursue their educational dreams.”
“This new residence will add to the outstanding student housing facilities that are currently at the University of Regina,” Advanced Education Minister Don Morgan said. “This, along with student support programs such as the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship and the Graduate Retention Program, ensure that Saskatchewan is the best place to live, study and work.”
"Like the province itself, the University of Regina is growing, and a new residence and day care will help us continue to attract and meet the educational needs of students from within Saskatchewan, across Canada and around the world,” University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor Vianne Timmons said. “I would like to thank the Government of Saskatchewan for its continuing support of this important project.”
The building will be located east of the Language Institute, near Campion College and Luther College. It is anticipated that the residence will be ready for occupancy by September 2015.
Student housing aligns with both the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth and the provincial Housing Strategy. This initiative represents a significant response to the province’s commitment to increase the supply of housing in Regina while simultaneously having a positive impact on the post-secondary system in southern Saskatchewan.
The new residence allows for increased attraction of international students which also aligns with the Growth Plan. The project will make the attraction and retention of international students a cornerstone of the province’s international immigration strategy, with a goal of increasing the number of international post-secondary students studying in Saskatchewan by at least 50 per cent by 2020. Currently, the student residence population is comprised of 57 per cent provincial or domestic students (700 students) and 43 per cent international students (528 students). It is anticipated that this proportion will be similar in the new facility.
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For more information, contact:
Linda Saliken
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0246
Jennifer Veri,
Advanced Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1331