New residence at University of Manitoba taking students to new heights
It's the first week back to school for a lot of students at the University of Manitoba. For some moving into the campus, a new residence building dominating the skyline is a new sight.
There's some new mixed with the old at the University of Manitoba. Rising above historical buildings at the Fort Garry campus, a shiny, new residence tower some students, including Sarai Pak, are now calling home.
"I was more excited, more than anything because everything is brand new and it has a different feel from any other building," she said.
Pak is one of nearly 360 students getting settled in to Pembina Hall.
"It's very modern, very contemporary, very different than your grandfather's residence room for sure," said Barry Stone who does administration and operation at the U of M.
At 13 stories, Pembina Hall is now the tallest structure on campus. It's an extension of an existing building. It offers students something they didn't have at other residences at the university.
Ellyn Hornyak is excited to be living in the new dorms, "We have a beautiful view of everything. We have our own bathrooms, no communal bathrooms anymore," she said."
What's also unique is free wireless internet throughout the building. The new residence isn't helping the shortage of housing on the campus, though. Less than one dozen new rooms were created.
"We're only adding about ten to our inventory. We could use more, every year we're at full capacity," said Stone.
The new residence is the first part in a domino project. Some students from another residence moved in to it. That building will now be used by other university departments.
Right now, 1,200 of the campus' 25,000 students are able to live in one of four buildings at the university.
The building is full for the next eight months.
-With a report from CTV's Ina Sidhu
