University residence up for sale

St. Thomas university’s residence complex at Forest Hill is rumoured to close. Despite being “the newest residence”, rumours that its closing are spreading amongst the students.

One year ago, the university stopped housing students in Rigby Hall leaving only Chatham Hall open as residence. The truth is that St. Thomas is trying to sell off the Forest Hill residence. “Forest Hill complex has been on the market, we have received offers but we’re at the early stages and there is nothing new to announce to the students,” says Associate vice president Jeffery Carleton.

This fall, on-campus residence Harrington Hall opened again after finishing a $6 million renovation. Next, the university is looking at possibly renovating the girls only residence Vanier Hall which also is on campus.

The off-campus residence offers students a chance to live outside the campus but still experience residence life. This is perfect for students like Ezra Istvanffy who wants to separate his studies and his home.

“I like the living off-campus but it also provides a residential experience.”

Istvanffy also points out that the rooms in the other residences are smaller than the ones in Chatham and if he is living with a roommate they will not bump into each other due to the confined space.

Even if there is nothing new to announce to the students, some of them have already started looking at new homes. Istvanffy also says that if Chatham closes, he will have to get an apartment since he doesn’t want to live on campus.

The reasons for selling the Forest Hill complex is that there is fewer enrollments which leads to fewer students staying at residences. That is why the university has started consolidating the on-campus residences and putting the complex on the market.