Something to 'crow' about

Page 30

Students attending Red Crow College in Cardson, Alta., are going to have some pretty fancy living quarters to hang their hats and do their homework.

Renovations have recently been completed on the old St. Paul's residential school. The building, which has been abandoned for over 10 years, now resembles an up-scale apartment complex. The building has also had a name change.

The Ninastako St. Paul's Student Residence can easily accommodate 70 students. "Ninastako" is Blackfoot for 'Chief Mountain,' a honorary name given to Archdeacon Middleton, one of the first clergymen at the old Anglican residential school.

The new residence is located 16 km south of Red Crow College. Transportation from the new housing complex to the college is available for all students.

Designer Garry Milton, with BCMP Architects in Calgary, said the project was an enjoyable challenge.

The building was originally constructed in 1924 and is still structurally sound. Officials with the Blood Tribe wanted to keep the face of the building the same while the inside was to be completely remodeled.

The design work on the new layout began in late 1996 and construction crews finished up the project almost a year later. The results should impress even the most critical student.

The original brick walls have remained in tact, so have the interior structures. The new materials were all fitted within the existing space.

"We fit, squeezed, poked and pushed to make sure it all fit into the configuration of the building that existed," said Milton.

Because each of the 39 living units had to be specially fitted into the existing floor plan, there are very few floor plans that look the same.

"Very few are repeats, and essentially there were major differences in a lot of them," said Milton.

The apartments in the four floor building come in bachelor, one, two, three bedroom configurations. There is even one apartment that boasts four bedrooms. Each suite is equipped with all the appliances needed to make any student feel at home. The suites are all well lit and feature open floor plans that emphasize the large space offered in each apartment.

The total area of the building is 3515 sq. metres (37,815 sq. ft.).

Filling in the spaces not occupied by the bright, new suites, is a children's day-care centre, a Headstart program and a multi-purpose room.

Milton said the multi-purpose room was actually converted from a church chapel in the original building.

All plumbing and electrical circuits are new, with a heating system which can be adjusted for each apartment within the individual suite. That way, students cramming for finals can turn down the temperature in their apartment if their brains start to over-heat as they study.

The inside of the building isn't the only place where changes have taken place. The entire site has been developed with parking and grass-covered boulevards constructed to set off the new residences.

The overall impression is one of comfort, safety, and beauty all wrapped up into one tidy package.

Ninastako is sure to be enjoyed by thousands of students attending Red Crow College in the years to come.

The cost to construct the new interior design was $2 million.

Red Crow College has an enrollment of approximately 200 students, the majority coming from the Blood Reserve. Programs offered at the 10 year old school include Upgrading, Life Skills and General Arts and Science.