College of the Rockies holds grand opening of $11.5-million trades hall

Patterson Hall, the new trades training facility at College of the Rockies (COTR) in Cranbrook, B.C., is complete. COTR held a grand opening on August 10, 2018. Several dignitaries were in attendance to celebrate what will benefit not only the Cranbrook-Kimberley Development Zone, but the province as well.

“We’re opening the doors to better training and more opportunities for students to help build the best B.C.,” said Melanie Mark, B.C.’s Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “The new trades training facility in Cranbrook will better equip students with the skills and training that will give them good-paying, family-supporting careers in a range of industries.

Patterson Hall is designed to increase COTR’s training capacity, with 240 full-time equivalent spaces for electrician and industrial mechanic (millwright) programs. The building will house new technology and equipment, and it has the capacity to grow.

Funding for the $11.5-million project came from the Province of B.C., the Government of Canada’s Strategic Investment Fund, the Columbia Basin Trust, a private-sector donation from Teck, and COTR.

“This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada positions Canada as a global centre for innovation,” stated Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development in a media release. “It moves forward the government’s vision to make Canada a world leader in turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into jobs and startup companies into global successes. The Canadian economy can become globally competitive when we create conditions conducive to innovation and long-term growth, like this investment.”

“Thanks to the provincial and federal governments, and our community funders, this state-of-the-art facility will allow students to learn on the most cutting-edge technology, in the most supportive environment. We’re giving our students the best education and building up a skilled workforce that will serve the needs of our communities and industry partners,” said David Walls, president of COTR.

The College also thanked the following construction and engineering companies that were involved in the project:

• Sahuri + Partners Architecture – Calgary, Alberta
• WSP – Montreal, Quebec
• Chandos Construction – Edmonton, Alberta

For more on the grand opening and this facility, visit East Kootenay News Online Weekly.