Virginia Tech board approves $19.5 million for planning of Student Life Village

A $19.5 million allocation to plan the first phase of Virginia Tech’s new Student Life Village was approved by the school’s board of visitors.

The first phase plan includes more than 1,000 beds for the village at north campus that will also include recreational and dining amenities, according to university documents.

The new beds in phase one of the village will replace headroom lost when Slusher Hall is demolished and provide swing space ahead of other traditional residence hall renovations, documents said. The new student village will also house a living-learning community for global business and analytics students.

Phase one planning includes preliminary design work, such as drawings, and will be paid for using auxiliary revenues designated for facility improvements, university documents said. The board of visitors may authorize construction of the student life village after project details firm up.

The earliest time that phase one of the student village might open is fall 2028, documents said. The full scope of the student life village is to include up to 5,000 beds, university officials said previously.

The Virginia Tech class of 2027, who will be first-year students this fall, are expected to number more than 7,100 people, said university President Tim Sands.

The board also approved a resolution to renovate the football locker rooms.

“This 4,200 square-foot renovation project provides a state-of the art hydrotherapy suite and renovations to the players’ restrooms and shower facilities within the Jamerson Athletic Facility,” university documents said. “The $5.9 million total project cost will be funded with private gifts.”

The Roanoke Time – Luke Weir (540) 566-8917 luke.weir@roanoke.com