View is south from the driveway in front of Clark Hall. Photograph shows roof renovations on the Brandon College Building. Citizens' Science Building and the John R. Brodie Science Centre are also visible.
Donkersloot began working at Brandon University in 1970/1971 as the Clerk of Works. From 1973 until his retirement, he was the Director of Physical Plant.
The 1960s campus expansion necessitated a large, updated heat source so a central steam plant fueled by coal was built north of the campus adjacent to the CPR rail lines on Pacific Avenue. A 25-year agreement was made between the University and John R. Brodie of the Great West Coal Company, which guaranteed BU lower coal prices tendered by the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways on an annual basis. Brandon College Engineer John Kasiurak officially opened the Heating Plant on 24 January 1962. An extension and/or upgrade of the steam plant appears to have occurred in 1970.
Until the 1990s, heat was piped underground to the campus from the Pacific Avenue Heating Plant but inspection standards were outpacing the maintenance and repairs required to keep the plant operating smoothly. Consequently, a new steam plant was built immediately adjacent to the University to the west of Darrach Hall on 20th Street. This building was essential to handling additional loads from the proposed library expansion. The original steam plant was subsequently sold.
Custodial History
Photograph was taken by Tom Donkersloot during construction and stored in albums in the Physical Plant H-Hut until they were transfered to the McKee Archives by Doug Duncalf in May 2008.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the roof of Brandon University's coal steam plant at 20th Street and Pacific Avenue, as well as the residential area nearby. The photograph appears to be looking west.
Notes
Donkersloot recorded the date and time each photograph was taken on the back of the photos.
Swaziland Project. Group shot. Middle back is Dr. Harold Perkins (BU President). Back left is Pandy Halamandaris. The rest of the group is students in the project
Series VII: Special Events: This series contains ten sub-series which highlight special events at Brandon University. For example, there are sub-series with photos from Brandon University’s 75th Anniversary, Bicycle Races, and Installations. There is also a very large sub-series called “Other” which includes almost 200 pictures of various special events, such as Prime Minister Chretien’s visit to the university, and Montreal Massacre Vigils held at the university.
McKee Centre Archives Basement of Jeff Umphrey Building. Featured: “ Pride of the Land”, “ Tommy Douglas: The Road to Jerusalem”, and “ Brandon College During the Depression”
Library: Students working on Brandon and the Great Depression project. L to R: unidentified female student, Bruce Stadfeld, unidentified female student.
McKee Centre Archives Basement of Jeff Umphrey Building. Featured: “ Pride of the Land”, “ Tommy Douglas: The Road to Jerusalem”, and “ Brandon College During the Depression”
Book stacks and study carrels. Library and Arts Building, Library Mezzanine floor looking north from south stairway as laid out when building was opened. Anne Lane (Student Library Assistant)
