University announces Summer 2026 move-in date
Cami Davila (she/her) // Crew Writer
Rachel Lu (she/her) // Illustrator
Capilano University’s new on-campus residence building will not open in Spring 2026, as was previously planned. At the beginning of October, the housing team sent an email to the students who currently live in the buildings at Dollarton Highway indicating that the new residence will now open in Summer 2026, without providing a specific move-in date. According to Director of Student Housing & Food Services John Umunna, the delay was first announced by the developer of the project, Scott Construction. Labour shortages and a lack of necessary materials are two reasons cited for the delay. Umunna emphasized that, given this is a project external to the university, CapU has “no control” over this delay.
The on-campus housing development was first announced by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills in 2022. According to the news section on CapU’s website, the project was initially slated for completion in late 2024. As reported by the minutes of the Senate Meeting in February of this year, CapU’s has an operating budget has a deficit for the fiscal year 2025/26 of $6.4 million, as a result of, among other things, “committed priorities,” such as the new on-campus residence project.
Nevertheless, the opening keeps getting postponed and this has created some uncertainty, especially among the students who live in the existing residence on Dollarton Hwy, and were looking forward to moving to the on-campus building at the beginning of next year.
“We were supposed to move into the new residence this January, and for a while, it felt like something to look forward to. But, once again, the university said ‘just not yet.’ I feel disappointed and honestly a bit disrespected. It’s not just about moving to other buildings; it’s about being able to trust what we’re told. Each delay makes it harder to take their promises seriously,” commented one student who has been living in the CapU residence since Fall 2023.
“I wish the university would be more transparent. It’s exhausting. Not just the waiting but the constant letdown. I am still holding onto the idea that someday we’ll finally move, but I don’t want to keep waiting for something that may never happen.”
Given that the Dollarton Hwy buildings are going to be open for at least another full semester, many students are concerned about the rapidly deteriorating state of these accommodations.
Pointing out that most of the work that needs to be done is the responsibility of the landlord, not the university, Umunna also notes that a targeted improvement plan started in early October. After reviewing the current situation, the student housing & food services team has started to implement changes in the showers, the ventilation system and the cleaning of the building, including more regular inspections of common areas by staff.
The opening date of the on-campus building is unclear. “I can’t say that we are certain,” said Umunna, “We recognize that the delay is disappointing to students who were looking forward to moving to the building earlier.” However, he emphasized that they remain committed to supporting the residents and that’s why the housing team announced Summer 2026 as the opening, because it gives them a big leeway.
General information about student housing is available on the CapU Website, under Campus Master Plan & Capital Projects.