TRU wants to build a village on campus

KAMLOOPS – Students at Thompson Rivers University will someday have access to an urban market and pharmacy if a planned development goes ahead.

The proposed development — called The Reach — is centred around the idea of a the university as a village, according to a media release.

The new concept is spearheaded by the TRU Community Trust. The group was created in 2011 to handle the development of TRU property into a source of funding.

The Reach is similar in concept to Vancouver's Westbrook Village at the UBC campus and UniverCity at Simon Fraser University, the release states.

The planned neighbourhood focuses on a people first principle. The development is supposed to be pedestrian-oriented, offer social spaces, and be both transit and bike-friendly.

The Community Trust has released a request for proposals for developers to submit bids to take the role of primary builder for The Reach.

“The Reach is the first step in the realization of the university village concept which envisions a vibrant campus neighbourhood where people live, work, learn, and play. This will enhance the TRU experience and be of significant benefit to the broader Kamloops community,” TRU president Alan Shaver says in the media release. “It is expected to create income to support students and research.”

The Reach will feature 90 developable acres which are broken down into the following categories: three million square feet of residential living space, 40,000 square feet of office space, 78,000 square feet of retail space, a hotel, an urban market and pharmacy and outdoor public spaces connected by pedestrian only and dedicated cycle paths.

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