Guelph neighbourhood braces for impact of student condos

Construction on the Solstice 1 student condo project at Gordon Street and Arkell Road in Guelph is seen on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015.

A trend hitting many of Ontario’s university towns is making its way to Guelph.

While off-campus housing in that city has traditionally come primarily in the forms of homes and apartments where students may live side-by-side with non-students, more “student-focused” residential options are on the way.

One of the first, the 600-space Solstice 1 tower on Gordon Street, is set to welcome students this fall.

Construction is expected to begin this spring on a second Solstice project, and plans for a third are also in the works.

Brenda Whiteside, the school’s associate vice-president of student affairs, says it’s a sign of shifting expectations from both parents and students.

“We’re starting to see more students really want upper-end, safe environments,” she says.

“Developers are seeing that as a demand, and coming in and meeting that need.”

“Upper-end” may indeed be an apt term for Solstice – with gaming rooms and underground parking, it’s not exactly the same feel as a repurposed family home.

Peter Stinson, who lives near Solstice 1, admits to feeling “mixed emotions” at its impending arrival.

“Students need a place to live … and I understand it’s going to be good accommodations for them,” he says.

“It is progress – on the other hand, it feels like we’re being closed in.”

Other neighbours cite worries about traffic levels on Gordon, and about disruption to the deer and other wildlife that used the former greenspace.

Mayor Cam Guthrie says he understands those concerns, but overall thinks projects like Solstice will be positive developments for the city.

“What this does, I believe, is start to pull students from the areas where neighbourhoods are already built up and established to these main corridors,” he says.

“I think it will fit well in Guelph.”

The university has no plans to increase its enrolment due to the new housing, Whiteside says – which means nobody knows for sure what effect developments like Solstice will have on current student-heavy areas.