College of the Rockies

College of the Rockies Off-Campus Housing

East Kootenay Community College was established on May 8, 1975 with an edict from the government that the main campus be constructed in Cranbrook. It was to offer vocational, technical and academic courses and Dr. Gary Dickson became its first Principal in June of that year. The next step was to hire faculty and determine exactly what courses were to be offered. The first classes took place on October 6, 1975 and the number of registered students that first year was 351 in Cranbrook, 64 in Kimberley, 52 in Fernie, 39 in Golden and 37 in Invermere.