New residence hall to be built at CBC

Fundraising for a new residence hall, estimated to cost $3.5 million, is underway at Columbia Bible College (CBC).

The four-storey residence for 134 students will be located on a section of campus that now contains several houses. This location was chosen to maximize campus life participation, being only a half-minute’s walk from the dining room, classrooms and library. The suites are planned in a modular style allowing several students to live in each suite.

The capital campaign began last November, and currently the college is working on raising the middle million. The CBC board is working to have the needed funds in hand before construction can begin.

“We will start building when the money is in place,” says CBC president Ron Penner. “It depends on how God leads and prospers.”

In 2004, the college demolished two outdated residences that had to be removed to permit expansion of the student centre. Currently, the college has only one residence hall, Columbia Hall, which houses female resident students. Male students are housed off campus in nearby apartments.

Penner emphasizes the importance of campus life for CBC students, adding that students who must live off campus in apartments don’t really feel the same sense of being a part of college life. “The lessons learned living in residence are priceless,” he says, adding, “Our definite hope is that students will be in a top-notch residence setting that will foster their sense of safety and community.”