Red Deer Polytechnic’s 700 beds in student residence already fully booked

He describes it as the most fun time of the year.

“I love to parent watch at these because there’s such a range of emotions, especially how far students have come. There’s the super confident parent and there’s the ones that are anticipating this is a very big moment for their family; you can see it in their eyes. The nice part is being able to support those families and making them feel confident that they’re going into a safe and supportive situation. They’re not off in the community on their own; we’re here to help and we’re here to support the students in their academic journey,” he said.

Last year’s bed count was 667 and fully booked. Over the spring and summer months, Rix explained the school was able to renovate one of their towers, expanding by 32 beds.

For those who can’t receive residence housing, Rix says students are directed to their Student Association who have a list of possible accommodations in the city. Typically filled with landlords that regularly offer their apartments to students, the list currently has 15 available units.

The Association then works with students to look online, check social media and in the newspaper for available units.

Rix says their institution is strategically located as, being close to the Highway, students with their own vehicles can widen their options by living in bedroom communities like Penhold and Blackfalds. Those without vehicles can utilize the public transit system which has numerous routes across the city that stop right on the RDP campus.

Most of the student residences are made up of first year students, he says, as many later move to accommodations in the city with friends met during the school year. However, he adds that some choose to stay for their entire education as the residences provide various benefits.

“We also have lots of people that absolutely love the residence experience and spend two to four years here as well because it’s comfortable, the residence life is really strong, the support from our residence staff and our residence attendants and all of the residence life activities that students get involve into, it’s a really dynamic community,” he said.

Accommodations on campus come in multiple forms and budgets, ranging from $572 per month in a four-bedroom tower to $852 per month in the new studio suites. There are even four-bedroom family housing options. All costs include individual Wi-Fi in each room, utilities, full furnishings, and organized social events. Rents are paid by semester during the academic year and monthly during spring and summer months.

Applications for student residences and programs open at the same time and students can choose their unit preference, which is typically fulfilled, Rix says.

He says the institution has seen an increase in international students, reflected in their student housing.

He adds RDP is already in the middle of a business case for their next residence building, planning five years ahead.

by Alessia Proietti

Red Deer Polytechnic’s 700 beds in student residence already fully booked

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