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.
Clark Hall Reception Room (?) Student Activities - supposed to be the ministerial students of 1911-12, but other students crept in. Top Row L-R: J. Sieight, F.W. McKinnon, E.H. Clarke, W.L. Wright, R. Edwards, R. Harvey; Front Row L-R: H.E. Green, J.L. Jordon, D.A. McGibbon, S.H. Potter, A.J. Radley
Clark Hall Door (Outside) Student Activity: Student Photo. Backrow at door jam: H.L. MacNeill, next left, J.L. Jordan; 54-57mm from left, 55mm from bottom, Robert Harvey, just above Harvey to left, A.J. Radley, to right, S.H. potter; 25mm from bottom, 62mm from right, A. Rutherford; A.E. Wright
Brandon College resident students seen walking away from Clark Hall. The student body was going to the CPR station to meet Dr. McDiarmid on his return from Winnipeg, where he sought unsuccessfully to obtain a charter for Brandon College
Brandon College resident students walking down the streets of Brandon on their way to meet Dr. McDiarmid at the CPR station after his return to Winnipeg, where he sought unsuccessfully to obtain a charter for Brandon Charter
A group of male students pose in costumes. Back Row-L to R: Erlandson, ?, Johnson, Ole Larson, Watson. Middle Row-L to R: Archie Gordon, J. B. Nield, Ernest Vincent,?, ?. Last Row-L to R: J. L. Campbell, Philip Duncan, Calhoun
