Patterson Hall grand opening

(L to R) Cutting the ribbon at the grand opening of Patterson Hall were Jesse Nichols (COTR board of governors), Sarah Weech (COTR trades student), Rick Jensen (CBT), Melanie Mark (province of B.C.), David Hall (COTR), Nancy Eckstein (nee Patterson) and Larry Davey (Teck). — Marie Milner photo

Patterson Hall, the new trades training facility at the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, is officially open for business. It is named for James Patterson, a local miner and school board member whose vision and passion for education led to the founding of the college itself in 1975. The grand opening was held on August 10, with speeches, a ribbon cutting, photographs, tours and refreshments. Melanie Mark, B.C.’s minister of advanced education, skills and training, was on hand to extend her congratulations and best wishes, along with representatives from the Ktunaxa Nation, Columbia Basin Trust, Teck, and the Patterson family.