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.
Portrait of a Junior Varsity Bobcats hockey reunion(?). Back row far left: Doc Hannah. Back row far right (L to R): Coach Bob Cabel and Referee Bob Thompson.
Portrait of the Brandon University junior varsity hockey team. Back Row (L to R): Gord Letkeman, Jerry Titus, Don Mochnacz. Middle Row (L to R): Doug Greves, Ron Turner, Laurence Bertram, Frank Purdy, Al McAuley. Front Row (L to R): Bert Vriese (Coach), ?, Dennis Sparling, Boyd Van Aggleton, Doc Hannah (Trainer).
Crack down vertical length of the photo just to the right of centre
Scope and Content
Composite portrait of the members of Brandon College's first year academic class, 1909-1910. The motto of the class was “Labor Omnia Vincit”
Top Row (L to R): E. Vicksburg; W.J. Roddick; A.S. Young; W.A. Branton; B.A. Toger; and A. McPherson.
Second Row (L to R): E.G. Cambridge; E.M. Irwin; L.J. Powers; B.A Fletcher; Dr. A.P. McDiarmid; I.A. Wright; F.H. Rogers; I. Drummond; and G.C. Cumming.
Third Row (L to R): R. Wood; V.L. Duncan; A.A. Pinder; D.A. McGibbon (Sup’r); Dr. S. J. McKee; G. Ruttan; G. Kelly; E.W. Osborne; and O. Larson.
Fourth Row (L to R): R. Lang; A.T. Andrews; W.M. Courtice; K. Sinclair; K.B. Cole; J. Curtis (President); R. Hutchison; E. Gimby; O. deMille; A. Mooney; and C.M. Strome.
Bottom Row (L to R): I.R. Graham; L.J. Cross; O. Nordine; B. deMille; B. Lane; and J.W. Pickard.
Dining Room - Alumni activity: Sarah Persis Darrach receiving first annual Alumni award. W. Bridgett (Pres. Alumni Association), Sarah Persis Darrach, Eileen M. McFadden (Alumni member, and College Librarian)
New Dining Room (?) Board of Directors Activities. l-r: Wilfred F.McGregor, Chairman, Board of Directors receiving cheque from Hon. Stewart McLean, Minister of Education.
