College News

Our new Red Lake Campus (June 2011), the third stop in the western leg of our campus journey, is the most unique of our regional campuses in appearances. It is located in a former lodge, in the heart of town, right at the lake's edge. The first things that strike you when you enter are the deer and elk antler chandeliers, along with fish and wildlife "mounts" throughout the facility. The chairs throughout are constructed of knotty pine, with an elk motif carefully centered on each backrest. The lodge building is located on the water's edge, with a floating dock outside, ready to tie up a fishing boat, or float plane...

This article is part of a series entitled "Know Your Regional Campuses" (KYRC) - Red Lake Campus ... an opportunity to become more familiar with our regional campuses, some of the people who work there, and the unique communities in which they reside, along with a little history of the area.

Red Lake Campus main entrance

Yes ... those are elk antler chandeliers decorating the labtop computer lab!

 

Sunrise view from the Red Lake campus

Outdoor deck and picnic tables

 

Sunrise in downtown Red Lake. Confederation College campus is the building at the right edge with the dock (top right corner of image).

Campus Staff

Angelina Anderson - Campus Director for Red Lake, Dryden & Sioux Lookout Campuses

 

Wendy Pearson Program Manager

Agathe Breton-Plouffe Administrative Assistant

 

Wendy & Agathe frequently use the Internet classroom technology to meet on a regular basis with Campus Director, Angelina, who is primarily based at the Dryden campus.

"Norseman Float Plane Capital of the World"

Red Lake is famous as the "Norseman float plane capital of the world." They host a Norseman float plane festival every summer to celebrate Canada's iconic bush plane, which began its history in the area during the mid 1920's. You can't miss the iconic yellow Norseman plane, memorialized at the Norseman Heritage Park located at the water's edge in the centre of downtown.

 

Red Lake's Booming Economy (fueled by Gold)

Red Lake, a gold mining town, is located at the north end of highway 105, north east of Kenora and north west of Dryden, beyond Ear Falls, and nextdoor to Balmertown and Cochenour. There is high activity in Red Lake area these days, as evidenced by my total inability to secure accommodation there. All motel rooms in town and in surrounding communities even an hour away were fully booked!

A sunset view approaching Red Lake

One of a number of gold mines in the Red Lake district

 

Due to acommodations being fully booked, Program Manager Wendy Pearson contacted the owner of the campus building and luckily, they were able to grant me a bedroom upstairs for the night. All the town's accommodations are occupied by contractors working on several projects like : the new hotel and the new Tim Horton's buildings being constructed there. Most accomodations are occupied by drilling companies and workers at the mine. Tim Horton's opened later in November, 2011 and the franchise owner Ron was looking to hire additional staff by offering $12.40/hr instead of the standard minimum wage. However in "boom towns" like Red Lake, it is difficult to attract employees to service industries when there are other job options available that pay a lot more, such as gold mining (Goldcorp & Premier Gold Mines, Ltd).

New SUPER 8 hotel construction - Red Lake

Tim Horton's construction, right next door to SUPER 8

 

Students from as far away as Morocco!

I met a student there who moved to Red Lake with her husband from Morocco (to work at the mine). Another mature student I talked to had worked in one of the local mines before injuring his back, so he was coming back to school for retraining. At all of our campuses, we are clearly serving the educational needs of students of all ages and even diverse cultural backgrounds.

Hind - a student originally from Morocco taking Business - Accounting

Denise - student & grandmother - Native Child & Family Services program

 

Monty Business Fundamentals

Tammy Business - Human Resources

 

Campus Profile in the Community

I talked to one white-bearded old timer, (who looked like he would make a great Santa Claus) who was pumping gas at the corner gas bar, said he has very happy for the college presence in the community (he was a retired high school teacher), but was concerned that not enough people in the community were aware of our new campus and what we had to offer. He also told me some of the history of the former owner of the lodge on which the campus is now situated. The lodge was renovated (to perfection) by an American, who inherited patent dues from the powder recipe used in JELL-O. Today, new owners are enjoying the space, including the College who gets to enjoy the whole basement with the lake view all across the whole side of the building.

Commercial Kitchen Equipment

With an extensive amount of commercial kitchen equipment available, there would be great potential for some type of food preparation/servery course.

Kitchen equipped with commercial equipment

Kitchen equipped with commercial equipment

 

More Campus Decor

A fox/pheasant mount overtop the central fireplace

A pikerel fish mount graces the entrance to the washroom

 

Main Office Décor - an otter & speckled trout mount

Main Office Décor- a clock made from inlaid barks

 

The fireside room with paintings, wildlife mounts, and deer antler chandeliers and rustic chairs

pine chairs with elk motif

 

Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre

The area history is showcased magnificently at the new Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre ... a must see that includes the area's history of mining, aviation, medical, education, fur trade and Aboriginal people. Admission is a bargain at $3 for adults, and is open year round. Check out their website at www.redlakemuseum.com.

Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre has quite an extensive Norval Morriseau art collection. Morriseau (born in Beardmore) spend a number of years painting in Red Lake.

Aboriginal ceremonial drum display

 

HUGE 32 ton, 6-cylinder diesel engine generator - used at the former Madsen Mine as an emergency backup power source.

Now this behemoth engine can be seen at the entrance to the Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre

 

Central Aboriginal display with huge b&w historical photos overhead around the room

The tools of the trade of dentistry & other professions

 

A spectacular view of the Wabagoon River, early on in the drive to Red Lake.

Medium-Rez Photo Web Galleries - Red Lake Campus & Community:

Red Lake Campus - BEST (41 images)

• Red Lake Campus - Other (125 images)

Red Lake Community - BEST (73 images)

• Red Lake Community - Other (154 images)

Visit the Red Lake Campus Website ...

 

Story & photography:
Murray Metcalf
Photographer/Webmaster
Confederation College
(807) 475-6275