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.
View is west north west from 18th Street. Photograph shows the Brandon College Building, Clark Hall, and the Brandon University sign on the front lawn.
View is west southwest from the front lawn. Photograph shows the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall, as well as cars parked on the driveway. There is a centennial symbol (the symbol is meant to look like a geometric maple leaf) on the roof of the building.
View is west from approximately 18th Street. Photograph was taken during the McDiarmid (1900-1912) era and shows the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall. Students are visible on the lawn and steps.
View is south along the sidewalk in front of the building. Photograph shows the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall at night illuminated by flood lights. The John R. Brodie Building is in the background.
View is south southwest from the driveway. Photograph primarily shows Clark Hall, although the Brandon College Building is visible. The photograph pre-dates the sidewalk in front of the building.
Photograph of a landscape of the Brandon College campus - showing the Brandon College Building, Clark Hall and part of the Citizens' Science Building - presented to the College by the Class of 1960.
View is northwest from the east side of 18th Street. Photograph shows the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall in winter. The Education Building is visible in the background.
View is southwest. Photograph shows the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall, refered to as the Administrative Building, and the Citizens' Science Centre in the background.
View is south southwest from the driveway. Photograph shows Clark Hall and the Brandon College Building with the Citizens' Science Building and John R. Brodie Science Centre in the background.
View is north northwest looking down the driveway past the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall. Photograph shows the south side of the Brandon College Building.
View is northeast from the quadrangle in winter. Photograph shows the west side of the Brandon College Building and Clark Hall, along with a portion of the quadrangle. The A.E. McKenzie Building is also visible.