FVCC to build student housing

Flathead Valley Community College announced on Tuesday that it plans to build student housing on the Kalispell campus.

An FVCC Board of Trustees vote on Monday paves the way for campus housing for 100 students. Construction is expected to be completed before the beginning of fall semester 2017.

The college campus in north Kalispell currently has no residential facilities for students.

“During the past several years, our students and the community continued to express interest in on-campus student housing,” FVCC President Jane Karas said in a news release. “We have thoroughly evaluated the need and determined that this will expand opportunities for our students and benefit our community.”

The project will open more options for students to attain affordable housing. According to the press release, the housing units will be financially self-sustaining and will not impact local taxpayers.

“Our board has reached the point where it makes sense and we are ready to move forward with existing housing on campus,” Board Chairwoman Shannon Lund said. “This is a very exciting time for our college and our students.”

In August, an independent contractor found that the FVCC student populace wanted housing close to or on campus. The electronic survey revealed that the demand for housing was highest among full-time students between 18 and 24 years old. More than 400 students completed the survey.

The study included data highlighting the Flathead Valley rental market as expensive and difficult to navigate.

Because there is no 24-hour food service on campus, the contractor suggested suite-style housing designs that featured kitchenettes, Karas said in August.

The college conducted its own economic study to determine if building student housing was economically feasible.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.