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.
Scope and Content
Photograph is looking east and shows the exterior of Brandon University's steam generating plant located at 20th Street and Pacific Avenue beside the railroad tracks. McKenzie Seeds is visible in the background.
Photograph is looking southwest and shows the Main Dining Room and Darrach Hall. It appears that a sidewalk is being constructed in front of the buildings.
Photograph is looking north and shows the east side of the Main Dining Room. The J.R.C. Evans Lecture Theatre, the A.E. McKenzie Building, the link between the two buildings and the Original Music Building are visible in the background.
Photograph is looking west and shows the east entrance to the Main Dining Room. The link to Flora Cowan Hall and part of both Flora Cowan Hall and Darrach Hall are visible in the background.
Photograph is looking northeast and whos the south side of the Main Dining Room and the west side of the link between the Dining Room and Flora Cowan Hall.
Photograph is looking southwest and is an aerial view of the Main Dining Room, Flora Cowan Hall (women's residence) and Darrach Hall (men's residence). A portion of the quadrangle is also visible.
Photograph is looking southwest and is an aerial view of the Main Dining Room, Flora Cowan Hall (women's residence) and Darrach Hall (men's residence). A portion of the quadrangle, the Gymnasium and part of the H-Huts are also visible.
