Since its inception in 1975, over 17,000 students have graduated with certificates, diplomas or Associate Degrees from the College of the Rockies. This does not include the thousands of people who have taken contract training, short-term courses or part-time vocational programs through Continuing Education.

To celebrate its 30 year of operation in the East Kootenay, the College is hosting the community at an Open House and concert presentation on Wednesday, Oct. 12.

President and CEO Dr. Nick Rubidge invites “our business partners, industry, government agencies, public advisory committees, past students, prospective students, indeed everyone, to come and visit us at 6 pm on Oct. 12. We are proud of our facility and the people who work here,“ he continued.

“It‘s somehow appropriate that we are starting a $16 million expansion in our 30th year. This displays an investment in the economic growth of our region and the education of our citizens.“

The 30th Anniversary celebration begins at 6 pm with cake and beverages, displays, give-aways and draws for a $500 tuition award and an I-Pod Shuffle. At 7 pm a free concert featuring As the Crow Flies and comedian Todd Butler begins. Although there is no charge for the concert, you must have an advance ticket to claim a seat.

Tickets are available at the College of the Rockies‘ reception desk or by calling Sue at 489–2751 ext. 243.

“We hope the community will come and help us celebrate this important milestone in our history as part of the East Kootenay region,” Dr. Rubidge concluded.

For more info on the College, visit http://www.cotr.bc.ca/