The University of the Fraser Valley officially opened a new six-storey student residence and an expanded dining hall on its Abbotsford campus on March 17, adding nearly 400 new student beds and significantly more space for students to gather and share meals.

The new residence, currently named Lá:léms Ye EverGreen, a Halq'eméylem name reflecting home, belonging, and connection to Stó:lō territory, includes a mix of living arrangements, shared study and gathering spaces, and an active transportation hub with secure bike storage and shower facilities. The name was guided by Siyamiyateliyot (Dr. Elizabeth Phillips) to ensure cultural and linguistic accuracy, and will continue to be developed through a broader consultative process.

BC Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma joined UFV leadership and students for the ribbon cutting, alongside student speaker Afeef Alam, a third-year computing science student who reflected on what campus living had meant to him.

"University is more than just academics — it's the experiences you have, the connections you make, and the lessons you learn along the way," Alam said. "Living on campus has helped me build friendships, get involved, and grow both personally and academically."

The project was funded by the Province of BC and is part of a broader provincial commitment to post-secondary infrastructure. For UFV, it marks a step toward its goal of becoming a true gathering place for students rather than a commuter campus.