Sixteen students from the Thompson Rivers University School of Trades and Technology are helping to build what will eventually become the 2021 Kamloops Y Dream Home.

It is the 31st year that TRU and the Canadian Home Builders Association Central Interior have partnered on the project, although this year will feel a little different because of COVID-19.

“You know definitely masks and washing our hands and having sanitizing stuff is dare I say becoming the norm or people are getting used to it,” TRU Instructor Bryce Coombs told NL News.

“As long as everyone is respectful of personal space and the needs of what everyone has, the built is going just fine. This is the practical aspect of the course. You know if you are going to put a positive to it, they could be sitting at home in bed listening to me talk about something.”

Kelly Reid, the President of the CHBACI says he’s grateful for the partnership, adding he is excited to see another training house be built over the next few months.

“It’s a bit smaller the home but very very efficient, very nice detailing. So we’re really excited about it.” he said. “We just keep using it as a training tool, so its training for the students, but its also training for our builder members and the public on building a house through the step code as opposed to just the pre-scripted method.”

“The partnership just speaks to a real willingness to partner between the three groups and the community. The support that the community shows for the Y Dream Home every year is phenomenal.”

Work on the house in the Oak Hills neighbourhood began last month, and when complete, Reid estimates it will be valued at around $650,000.

Here’s some more pictures of the house under construction. There are 16 @thompsonriversu students working on the house this year, the 31st year of the partnership in #Kamloops.

This year’s house in Oak Hills will be valued at around $650,000 when completed. pic.twitter.com/8n28UnjGYG

— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) August 12, 2020