By Jordan Bay

RDC students adjusting to temporary accommodations during Winter Games

Feb 12, 2019 | 1:07 PM

Students living in residence at Red Deer College have been moved out of their dorm rooms while they house the athletes competing at the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

140 students have been relocated to Olds College while others have found alternate accomodations.

Chaise Combs, president of the Students’ Association of Red Deer College, says they are committed to supporting students throughout the two weeks they will be displaced. 

“We had a chance to check in with our members on Friday, which was the official move in day. We were at Olds College just letting students know that the students’ association is there for them, and whether it’s academically, or otherwise, that we would be there to support them through whatever challenges they were going to face.

“It wasn’t ideal weather for moving, but generally I think spirits were high and I think a lot of people were excited about a rather novel opportunity.”

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To help ease the burden on displaced students the college has extended its Winter Term Reading Week to run from Feb. 15 to Mar. 1.

“It was interesting, a couple of the (students) we talked to that were still at the village just waiting for rides and stuff as we were starting to move in said ‘I’m looking forward to the two weeks off,’” said Scott Robinson, CEO for the 2019 Canada Winter Games. “Some of the people left really nice messages on their whiteboards in their rooms for the athletes coming in. So I think there is a lot of good stories there, too.”

Combs expressed that the feedback the students’ association has received has been mostly positive. 

“We have had one or two complaints so far this year,” he notes. “Ultimately, you’re never going to be able to accommodate everyone 100 per cent, but again, for the most part I think students are excited.

“It’s a really cool opportunity for students to volunteer and participate in the Games to grow their resume that way but at the same time I’m also hoping as many students as possible are taking the time to practice self-care and focus on their mental health or catchup on classes.”

Robinson points out that students all in all are getting an improved campus from the Canada Winter Games.

“When you look at legacies for (RDC) from these Games and they understand…the little bit of disruption for what they get long term as students, it’s not even a question for most of them.”

The 2019 Canada Winter Games get underway this Friday with the Opening Ceremonies at the Westerner Park Centrium and run through March 3.