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.
The photograph was taken for the Centennial of Brandon College/University.
Scope and Content
Aerial photograph taken looking southwest from approximately the northeast corner of Princess Avenue and 17th Street. The entire campus, as well as a number of residential streets are visible.
Brandon College Dramatic production “East is East and West is West” produced by Miss Marjorie McKenzie with some members of the Class of 1929-30 and others including Tommy Douglas second row third from right.
William Davies, a Baptist meat packer from Toronto, provided money for the construction of the Brandon College Building.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the interior of the Brandon College Chapel. The portraits on the back wall are of William Davies and his wife.
Notes
Negative enclosed.
Related Material
Letters of William Davies: Toronto 1854-1861, edited by William Sherwood Fox, is located in Rare Books (call number CT 310.D3A4). Fox was an Instructor at Brandon College from 1900 to 1909.
View is southwest from the front lawn. Photograph shows the Brandon College Buildings and a number of cars parked in front of it. An H-Hut and McMaster Hall are visible in the background.
View is northwest from the front lawn. Photograph shows the south side of the Brandon College Building, including scaffolding. J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre in the background.
The podium in the photograph is used during convocation.
Custodial History
Donated by D. Sumner.
Scope and Content
Photograph shows the interior of the Brandon College Chapel, including the podium donated to Brandon College by McMaster University in 1900 and a portrait of Dr. A.P. McDiarmid.
