Hillside Data Centre Development – 1452 McGill Road

Construction has officially begun on a new data centre at 1452 McGill Road. The facility will become part of Bell Canada’s Bell AI Fabric, a national AI infrastructure platform that combines secure data centres, high-performance computing, networking, and managed services to support research, innovation, and AI adoption across Canada.
The project responds to the growing demand for trusted, Canadian-based AI infrastructure while strengthening Canada’s digital economy and creating new opportunities for education, research, and industry collaboration.

The Project’s design is in alignment with Thompson Rivers University’s (TRU) Design Guidelines, and construction is now underway. TrueNorth Sustainable Infrastructure Inc. is leading the development of the facility, with completion anticipated in late 2027.

Project Benefits

Supporting Canada’s AI Leadership

TRU and Bell are partnering to help shape the future of artificial intelligence in Canada by supporting responsible AI development. The project combines advanced digital infrastructure with a strong commitment to sustainability, education, and community benefit, positioning Kamloops as an emerging hub for AI innovation.

Advancing Teaching, Research and Student Success

The data centre will create new opportunities for:

  • Research partnerships and innovation
  • Student learning and experiential education
  • Collaboration between academia and industry

Revenue generated through the TRU Community Trust’s lease arrangement with Hillside Data Centre will directly support student bursaries, scholarships, and research funding, creating long-term benefits for the TRU community.

Environmental Sustainability

Sustainability has been incorporated into the project from the outset through:

  • Energy-efficient building and operational design
  • Closed-loop cooling systems that minimize water use
  • Future capability to recover waste heat for integration with TRU’s planned Low-Carbon District Energy System (LCDES)

These features support TRU’s commitment to reducing environmental impacts while enabling next-generation digital infrastructure.

Supporting the Kamloops Economy

Kamloops was selected as the project location due to its reliable electrical infrastructure and access to major fibre connectivity routes, making it well suited to support advanced AI computing.

The project will:

  • Create construction and long-term operational employment opportunities
  • Attract investment and technology partnerships
  • Strengthen the region’s role in Canada’s growing digital economy

Project Timeline

  • Late 2025 early 2026: Design review completed and construction begins
  • 2026: Construction ongoing
  • Late 2027: Facility expected to be operational

As construction progresses, we will continue providing updates on key milestones and the project’s benefits for students, the university, and the broader community.