A college in southeastern British Columbia is launching Canada’s inaugural outdoor gear repair and advanced manufacturing center, aiming to make it more convenient for individuals to repair their outdoor equipment. The collaboration between the College of the Rockies and the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE) will establish the Rehub Circular Technology Centre, funded with $1 million from the provincial government. This center will serve as a local research and development hub for gear manufacturers and provide students with opportunities to learn equipment design and repair.
KORE board chair, Matt Mosteller, highlighted the outdoor-centric lifestyle in the Kootenays, fostering a unique cottage industry dedicated to outdoor gear. To prevent outdoor gear from being discarded in landfills, KORE has been focusing on extending the lifespan of gear through maintenance and repair. The organization’s Rehub circular gear program features a mobile repair team that travels throughout the Kootenays during the summer, assisting individuals in repairing items like jackets, ski poles, and backpacks.
The Gold Creek Campus in Cranbrook will be the permanent home for this initiative, with Mosteller envisioning the facility as a pivotal node in Canada’s outdoor recreation realm. The goal is to bring together students, industry stakeholders, and the outdoor community to facilitate knowledge exchange, workforce training, and product development. By accommodating research and development, prototyping, and small-batch manufacturing, the center aims to support local gear makers in bringing their products to market.
Outdoor recreation significantly contributes to British Columbia’s economy, generating $4.8 billion annually. The College of the Rockies views this partnership as an opportunity to bolster the region’s economy while providing students with practical skills. College president and CEO, Michael Crowe, expressed excitement about connecting the institution’s outdoor expertise with advanced manufacturing, applied research, and circular economy innovation.
In establishing the space with necessary equipment and resources for KORE’s maker community, the focus is now shifting towards launching educational programs swiftly. Success in this endeavor could pave the way for students to pursue career opportunities within their local communities, aligning with the aspirations of many young individuals in mountain towns to build a future centered around their passion for the outdoors.