Raintree residents getting the boot for missionaries

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Raintree Commons and parts of Wyview Park apartments have been called to serve in the Provo MTC mission starting May 1.

Mandy Teerlink and Brittney Griffith hold up a notice in front of their apartment notifying them that Raintree wll be housing LDS missionaries for the upcoming school year. (Photo by Elliott Miller)
Mandy Teerlink and Brittney Griffith hold up a notice in front of their apartment notifying them that Raintree wll be housing LDS missionaries for the upcoming school year. (Photo by Elliott Miller)

Wyview Park apartments have been working with the MTC for the past few months, making arrangements for the missionaries who will begin their mission training at the apartments.

“We are so excited that the response of the members of the Church to serve missions has been large enough to require the MTC to look for additional space. We are glad we have the opportunity to help fill that need while still being able to support BYU students,” said Julie Franklin, director of residence life at BYU.

According to Franklin, no Wyview residents will have to move. Students and missionaries will not be sharing housing. While students at Wyview have been very understanding of the changes that will be happening, Raintree Commons apartments have had some residents both unhappy about the fact they have to move and confused about the use of Raintree apartments for missionaries.

“I was surprised and then just thought, ‘Well, finding housing is another thing I have to put on my busy schedule now,'” said Candace Elmont, a UVU pre-health major from Lehi. “Raintree was made for student housing, not missionaries. Having a hot tub, pool, volleyball pit and basketball hoop may seem interesting for missionaries — there are more distractions here,” Elmont said.

Shelly Freeman, president of Glenwood Intermountain Properties, Inc., is excited to be part of the MTC’s expansion solution.

“The MTC will begin occupancy at Raintree starting May 1, 2013, and will stay at least until August of 2014. The MTC may stay at Raintree for several years at their option,” she said.

Freeman appreciates Raintree’s residents and is aware this will be an inconvenience for those planning to live at Raintree this summer and next year.

“We feel much like any missionary leaving home. We hope everyone will remember us and welcome Raintree back when it re-enters the student housing market,” she said.

Residents of Raintree who were planning on living at the complex past their contract, which ends April 27, will be provided housing at The Lodges at Glenwood, which is a sister property of Raintree Commons. The residents will be provided a substantial discount to accommodate the inconvenience.

“At first, our residents were shocked, just like everyone else. Overall the residents have responded very positively, and many are supportive of our decision. A few were understandably upset. We were able to help them understand the situation, and most are now fine,” Freeman said.

No major adjustments will be made to Raintree and Wyview apartments. Some of the furnishings will be moved or changed to better accommodate the missionaries.

Residents at Raintree were notified of this change on March 27 via email, fliers and Facebook.

“I think the hardest part is having my ward split up; it makes me sad. Raintree is a fun place to live. I’ll miss it here,” said Elmont.
Raintree and Wyview will have their hands full for the next 30 days getting the work done that needs to happen before missionaries enter their facilities.
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