The College of the Rockies (COTR) recently received support from the Columbia Basin Trust (Trust) to improve the student experience at the Cranbrook, Fernie and Golden campuses.
In 2019, a partnership between the Trust, COTR and Selkirk College was established to improve the student experience across the region.
The gym at the COTR Cranbrook campus has undergone a major transformation, with significant upgrades to its fitness equipment. The improvements are already paying off, with gym usage up by 50 per cent.
With 200 students living on campus and hundreds more attending daily, the demand for affordable fitness facilities has always been high. However, until recently, the aging equipment—damaged by years of use and COVID-19 disinfecting protocols—was hindering the gym’s potential.
The new equipment arrived in October 2023, including chrome strength training machines, state-of-the-art cardio machines, functional training equipment and a storage room filled with sporting equipment.
Two whitewater kayaks and climbing gear went to the Mountain Adventure Skills Training program held at the Fernie campus.
New mountaineering and ski gear—helmets, ropes and axes—was sent to the Golden campus to support their Adventure Tourism Business Operations program.
Whether preparing students for kinesiology careers, adventure tourism roles or simply offering a place to unwind during stressful times, COTR now has more resources to support its students’ physical and mental health.
