NIC Community Master Plan Report - North Island College

Originally the site was 66 acres, withapproximately 560m length on each side, wasthickly forested and considered quite distantfrom the centres of commerce. Since the originalconstruction the College has leased a 4.39 acreportion of it’s site to the Comox Valley RegionalDistrict for the Aquatic Centre and has sold 11acres of land to the Vancouver Island HealthAuthority for a new hospital. The remainingNorth Island College Comox Valley Campus is50.61 acres. The original four buildings weresited roughly in the centre of the site. Duringthe original construction measures were takento retain forest cover in all areas that were notoccupied by either roads, parking or buildings.The forest fringes within the campus are one ofthe unique landscape features of this campus.The Campus has experienced growth with newbuildings since 1991 to include the Tyee Hall, theShadbolt Studios, Trade Centre, Beaufort ChildCentre and introduction of the Village Complexportables for temporary use to accommodategrowth. With the improved road, airportconnections, new facilities and institutions, aswell as commercial and residential growth inthe area the North Island College Comox ValleyCampus has become a major focal point in amore urban setting.Buildings on campus are generally two storeyswith exterior wood finishes with the exceptionof the Trades Building which is concretemasonry. Sloped roofs are a predominantfeature on campus buildings. The character,scale and qualities of the existing campus areseen by students, faculty and staff to be veryimportant and to be retained as the campus isdeveloped. The site area is limited so any futuredevelopment must be efficient and compact tomaintain the potential for growth into the futurewhile preserving the forest landscape.The 2013 master plan provides guidancefor decisions on future development on theNorth Island College Campus. Recommendedbuilding siting, circulation, linkages, and designguidelines establish the proposed pattern fordevelopment of the campus and connection toits surroundings.3 |APRIL 2013