The German-influenced lamella roof-style building was officially opened on Canada Day, July 1, 2010, and will be used as a dining hall. Accommodating up to 120 people in one sitting, the new building has expanded the center’s capacity for overnight camps.
The building has an arched roof made of short timbers. Each timber, called a lamella, is used in a criss-cross pattern to hold the building up. The structure is covered with layers of transparent, polycarbonate strips that overlap like shingles. They are waterproof and hold the structure together. The building also features a slate floor and a walkway connection to the main building on the property. The appearance of the building changes according to the time of day. Under the direction of Ted Cavanagh, students designed and built the dining hall. The students also constructed benches and tables that line the inside walls.
The structure was originally designed for Cheticamp, but was later moved to Ross Creek. The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada provided the university with a $35,800 grant for the project. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency also provided about $20,000 in funding.
The lamella roof system is widely used in Europe, America and other countries for constructing arched roofs. The design originated in Germany during the Second World War and was used for bomb shelters and airplane hangers. It is made of relatively short timbers, referred to as lamellas. These lamellas vary in thickness and depth, depending upon the span. They are identical for any one given span.
Ross Creek holds summer arts camps, fall and winter camps for kids, as well as programs for teenagers and adults. It also does outreach work with community groups.
