The Greens at Canadore are back.
The school says in an effort to combat the ongoing shortage of available student housing in the city, the residence townhouses, at the top of College Drive, will once again see some use.
Officials say they’re giving them a second life by repurposing them as residences geared toward families. George Burton, President and CEO, says 21 families lived in Canadore residences last year, occupying 86 beds. He says to attract more international students to North Bay, they must provide family housing and this move will create additional options to free up space for students.
Originally built in 1971, they were used for student housing for more than 40 years but have not been occupied for the last ten, as the college opted to construct higher-density student housing.
Canadore College’s housing strategy includes the creation of new living spaces off campus as well. The College has leased the former North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit building on Commercial Street, in North Bay, where it will create 21 residential rooms. Officials say these off-campus housing apartments will also be used for new employees who require temporary housing when relocating to North Bay.
“Canadore College formed a housing task force in the spring of 2022 after hearing concerns from students, landlords, our union partners and others about the inventory of safe and affordable housing in our region,” said Shawn Chorney, Vice President Strategic Infrastructure, Indigenous and Learner Services. “Our team quickly set to work to identify viable options that add substantial capacity in the short to mid-term including the townhouse redevelopment, leasing of the secure building on Commercial Street, and rapidly stepping up a high calibre homestay program in collaboration with The Village.”
In August 2022, Canadore’s residence waitlist peaked at 120 students, including 14 families. The College estimates the renovated townhouses, combined with the off-campus space and the homestay program, will provide an additional 150-200 spaces for the fall 2023 semester.
“We have further plans that will be activated this summer to bring an additional 64 bedrooms of purpose-built student housing online by fall 2024,” added Chorney. “Our team is committed to excellent student and community relationship outcomes, and we look forward to doing our part on the housing front to support North Bay and the region while realizing enrolment growth.”
