Acadia University Residence to Remain Closed for Academic Year After Flooding
War Memorial House at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., will stay closed for the remainder of the 2026-27 academic year after a broken sprinkler pipe caused significant flooding on October 17, displacing 95 students and two staff members.
War Memorial House, a student residence at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, will remain closed for the rest of the 2026-27 academic year following significant flooding. The incident occurred on October 17, 2026, when a sprinkler pipe broke on the fifth floor of the building during homecoming weekend.
The flooding displaced 95 students and two university staff members. Damage to personal belongings varied by room. To assist affected residents, the university is providing $500 per person to help cover the costs of damaged belongings, with remaining expenses expected to be covered by tenant or family insurance.
Students have been reassigned to other housing. Those placed in more expensive residences will not be required to pay the additional cost. Students moved to less expensive residences will receive the price difference back for both the fall and winter terms.
An environmental assessment of the building confirmed there are no concerns regarding asbestos exposure.
Student Union president Emma Boles noted that Acadia University faces an estimated $100 million in deferred maintenance. However, she stated that she does not believe the deferred maintenance caused this specific incident.