The Aboriginal Gathering Place, located at the College of the Rockies' Cranbrook Main Campus, is starting to take shape above ground. Currently, students in the Timber Framing program are in the process of raising the roof.

Students in the Carpentry, Welding, Plumbing and Electrical programs already have, or will have, the opportunity to work on the building, supervised by their instructors.

Dean of Instruction Ron McRae noted, "The Gathering Place is providing our students with a great learning opportunity to work on a permanent structure. I think this will give them a lasting sense of accomplishment."

The Gathering Place is intended to be a community meeting place for groups of 100 or less as well as a bridge between Aboriginal and the many other cultures represented at the College and beyond. It will also be a show place for Aboriginal art and culture and a space for ceremonial events. It is being built as a result of a collaborative effort among the College, the Ktunaxa Nation and other Aboriginal partners, as well as the College's Trades instructors and students.

Partial funding has been provided by the provincial government and Columbia Basin Trust, however, other sources of funding are being sought to complete the building.