Queue up the conferences: aboriginal training institute aims to be meetings host.

AuthorRoss, Ian
PositionCONFERENCE & CONVENTION - Conference news

An Aboriginal training institute is aiming to host large-scale conferences in Kenora by renovating space at a former high school.

Seven Generations Education Institute received almost $1.2 million from FedNor in early July to begin work this summer to upgrade more than 30,000 square feet at its Manidoo Baawaatig campus and create a modern conference and technology-communications centre.

The gymnasium will be converted into an auditorium with retractable and permanently seating for more than 340. A mezzanine level will be built with view to the existing gymnasium stage to place more seating or use as casual space to view an event.

The entire space will become a fully-equipped lecture hall for multimedia presentations.

At the rear of the hall, two break-out rooms will be created for smaller groups of 20 to meet during a conference.

Wayne Zimmer, director of apprenticeship programs, envisions this multipurpose space being used for trade shows and job fairs for both students and companies in town.

"It also fits well with what we plan to do with our culinary programming," said Zimmer.

The institute currently offers a one-year hospitality program, but to scale it up to a two-year program, a larger dining-type hall is needed to include culinary management.

"We can expand our offerings. This facility gives us the capacity to do that with the expansion."

Zimmer said it's not a substantial gutting of the building, but a retrofit by eliminating the 1950s-era boys and girls change rooms, and making better use of the space.

The technology centre will be set up as a videoconferencing room for distance education opportunities.

More funding announcements related to this project are expected to follow shortly.

Project tenders were expected to close in mid-July with construction starting by August.

He expects the completion of renovations by the end of next May.

Seven...

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