University of Victoria to redevelop Ian Stewart Complex into housing
The University of Victoria plans to build a mixed-use housing and commercial development on the site of its aging Ian Stewart Complex.
The school said the complex is reaching its end of life and the project is in response to the regional housing shortage.
"We completed an employee housing survey in the fall of this year," said Mike Wilson, UVic director of campus planning and sustainability.
"What that told us was that rent, as well as mortgage payments, are rising really quite rapidly in the region as we all know," he said. "We want to be able to provide housing that is a really close walk or cycle to the campus and that's able to attract new faculty and staff to the university."
The complex, located at 3964 Gordon Head Rd., was the school's primary recreation centre up until 2015 when the Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) opened on campus.
The ice rink surface at the Ian Stewart Complex remains in use, as do several office spaces.
With limited ice space available in the region, the school has given users until 2026 to find a new home before it closes the doors for good.
"We recognize that ice time is at a real premium," said Wilson.
"But certainly we also understand that from the broader community there is a strong desire for housing," he said.
Wilson said the proposed development is made of about nine acres of land, including part of a parcel across the street from the Gordon Head Road facility.
The redevelopment locations are pictured. (UVic)
The project is in its very early stages, the school says, and it plans to engage the community to gather feedback on what direction to take the development.
Standing in front of the complex Thursday, Wilson said whether the housing units will be sold or rented is just one of the many decision yet to be determined.
What the school does know is that the plan is to support the whole community.
"We’re looking at partnership opportunities with the provincial government, among others, but really looking at a mix of units in order to support the community," said Wilson.
Saanich Mayor Dean Murdcok says the new development represents a "fairly significant step forward in terms of creating housing."
"I‘m committed, and I think the university is committed, to ensuring that we can create homes for people of all incomes and all stages of life and utilizing this property is a great opportunity to do that," he said.
Wilson said the housing development will be a new model for the school, but that similar projects have been completed successfully at other universities in the province.
The new building will provide new sources of revenue to support the university's academic goal, he said.
With the size and scope of the project, Wilson said it’s too early to say when shovels will be in the ground.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
WATCH LIVE 'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.