by Andru McCracken
Valemount College is slowly making progress. It recently passed an inspection from the Private Training Institutions Branch, and there are still more hoops to jump through, but the inspection was an important step said Eric Kromhout, Director of the Valemount College.
“We are still waiting for the government to approve our programs with two academic programs possibly approved soon,” said Kromhout.
The college continues to run its edu-tourism programs in the interim, an introduction to Backcountry Camping that runs in late September and a Theatre in the Rockies program in November that focuses on improv.
Meanwhile the society that is undertaking student housing for the college is making good progress too.
The Valemount Affordable Rentals Society has begun transforming the old Ramakada Motel into student housing.
“The renovations are underway,” said society president Riette Kenkel. “Most of the work so far has been demolition, removal of flooring, fixtures, etc., cleaning and scraping corners, checking and exposing wiring for future hook-ups to new fixtures, plumbing preparations etc.”
Kenkel said they have ordered cabinets, sinks and fixtures.
The society is reusing what they can and will keep the authentic wood panelling in the rooms.
“Home Hardware has been amazing to work with,” said Kenkel. “We are hoping to have units ready for rent in October.”
If you want to see the units for yourself closer to completion the society will be offering tours before its AGM on Thursday, October 11.
“We will be encouraging the community to become members, and hope to have some people interested in joining the board as well,” she said.
The units will be offered as fixed term rentals when they aren’t being used for student housing, so that they can be used by students at the start of the new semester.
