By Brittney Bruner
Over the past several years, the University of Louisville has begun to focus more attention on its residential life. This is apparent in the increase in on-campus living. New student-living communities, such as The Province and The Bellamy, are popping up in the surrounding areas.
Although neither of the student-living communities is owned by U of L, the majority of the residents in both communities are students. However, a variety of schools are represented at both The Bellamy and The Province, with students from Bellarmine and Sullivan also living there. Although both communities are marketed towards students, you don’t have to be a student to live at The Bellamy and you can’t be a freshman to live within The Province.
Shannan Harrig, community manager of The Province, and Amber Lukes, assistant community manager, said that the opening was flawless, and everything went better than expected.
“It’s already started to feel like a community,” said Lukes. She shows this in her confidence in knowing most of the residents’ names.
Both Harrig and Lukes expressed their excitement about the residences and said that the team of employees was excellent, providing a good support system.
Employees at The Bellamy showed the same enthusiasm, maybe because students represent a majority of the staff.
Jacob Huff, sophomore mechanical engineering major at U of L, stumbled into his current job as leasing consultant at The Bellamy when he began helping with marketing. He then worked his way up.
The Bellamy’s head groundskeeper, Dominic Langone, is a sophomore at U of L as well, double majoring in political science and justice administration.
Both said they were completely satisfied thus far with the development of their community. They were especially pleased with how outgoing and social everyone was.
Staff within The Province expressed expectations geared toward the growth and well-being of their residents. Lukes and Harrig want their residents to be involved, productive students.
Huff and Langone, at The Bellamy, said their expectations for their residents were a bit simpler: They want them to stay happy with their living situation at The Bellamy.
It seems as though the residents are about as happy as they can get. Time spent at The Bellamy and The Province closely resembles something akin to spring break; the pools are filled with students looking for a way to relax and step away from the stress of the beginning of the year. On weekend nights, balconies and rooms are filled with parties and other social gatherings. However, soundproof rooms help accommodate those not interested in participating in the festivities.
“My expectations were met,” said Ashley Flood, a junior exercise science major who lives in The Province. “Everything was very clean and the people are very friendly.”
Flood resides within one of the one-bedroom studios at the Province and so far she has been pleased with her surrounding community’s efforts and her new living situation.
“Even though it’s a farther walk to campus, I would much rather live here than on campus. Everything is new and clean and there is more to do,” said Flood.
Both The Province and The Bellamy provide a variety of amenities to their residents, including: swimming pools with lounging areas, exercise facilities, volleyball courts, movie theaters, game rooms, basketball courts and transportation to U of L, such as The Province’s private walkway and The Bellamy’s shuttle to campus.
With their college atmospheres and the freedom to live independently from the university, students at The Province and The Bellamy can still feel connected to campus in these new residences.
