Athabasca Hall - The University's First Building Part III: 1971-1996

Athabasca Hall - The University's First BuildingPart III: 1971-1996

By 1971, the interior of Athabasca Hall - built 60 years previously with a "wood of a type known as slow-burning" - no longer satisfied modern fire safety standards.

Athabasca Hall, 1967

Athabasca Hall was deemed unsafe and ceased to be a student residence. With the exception of a few small service units, the building stood empty.

Students throwing water from Athabasca Hall

Plans were announced in 1971 to demolish Pembina, Athabasca and Assiniboia Halls. A proposed new graduate residence and social centre would take their place.


These plans met with considerable opposition and were fortunately abandoned. A study was subsequently undertaken to examine the feasibility of renovating the three buildings.


Due to its concrete structure, Pembina Hall was found to be in excellent condition.

Pembina Hall

Although the brick and stone exteriors of Athabasca and Assiniboia Halls were found to be in good condition, their wooden interiors had deteriorated beyond repair.

Therefore, it was decided as funds became available, to rebuild both buildings, Athabasca first and then Assiniboia, within their original brick and stone exteriors.

Renovations to Athabasca Hall began in 1976.

Athabasca Hall Crane

The architect in charge of the restoration was Mickey Holland, a partner in the firm of Bittorf-Holland-Christianson Architects Ltd.

Reconstruction of Athabasca Hall

Poole Construction was selected as the main contractor with Elmer Olsen in charge of demolition.

Demolition of Athabasca Hall



A crane removed the roof from Athabasca Hall and the interior was completely gutted.


Roof of Athabasca Hall

Athabasca Hall had seven bays, and Olsen removed three at a time. As the bays were removed, steel-joiced concrete floors were added.

Athabasca Hall reconstruction

Athabasca Hall reconstruction

Holland later related, "Every floor in the building and the roof were removed - right down to the bare bones and a brand new building was put inside."

Interior of Athabasca Hall

Looking downward from the roof of Athabasca Hall

Construction workers rebuilding Athabasca Hall's interior

Athabasca's floors, when originally constructed, had at least five layers.

Interior of Athabasca Hall

These layers included shiplag sheeting, wooden joists and linoleum.


Construction workers rebuilding Athabasca Hall's interior

During the demolition, eight whiskey bottles, including a 1926 bottle of Gooderham and Worts rye whiskey, were found neatly concealed in the walls, ceilings and floors.

1926 Gooderham and Worts Rye Whiskey Bottle

All the stained glass from the foyer, the wood paneling in the library and the fireplace were preserved.

Fireplace and lobby, after restoration

The main floor lounge, now known as Heritage Lounge, was also preserved.

Heritage Lounge, after restoration

An elevator was installed beside the preserved and now ornamental fireplace.

Fireplace, lobby and elevator after restoration

Holland later referred to the restoration work as among the "toughest I've done" because older buildings lacked construction standards.

Athabasca Hall, after restoration

Despite the stress caused by the demolition and reconstruction, not a crack was found along the exterior brick and stone shell.

Athabasca Hall, in winter

The total renovation of Athabasca Hall cost about two million dollars and provided about 47,500 square feet of space.

Athabasca Hall, around 1982

The building was officially opened on October 8, 1977 by Premier Peter Lougheed, himself a resident of Athabasca Hall thirty years previously.

Invitation to the official reopening of Athabasca Hall

For his work in the renovation of the two buildings Mickey Holland received a Heritage Canada Medal in 1978.

Architect Mickey Holland sitting in the restored Heritage Lounge

The University also received a Heritage Canada Award of Honour for the restoration of Athabasca Hall.

Presentation of the Heritage Award of Honour at Rideau Hall, Ottawa

A certificate, and a large bronze plaque, now mounted outside the main entrance to Athabasca Hall, were presented at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

Heritage Canada Award of Honour Plaque

Between 1977 and 1996, the newly renovated Athabasca Hall was occupied by the Chancellor's Office and Senate, and a number of departments providing administrative services.



These departments included University Press, Student Counselling, Advisor on Native Affairs, Public Relations, Alumni Affairs, the Development Office, and the Office of Human Rights.


Slide show by:

Rob Lake (Office of the Provost and VP Academic)

Text by:

Keith Smillie (Computing Science)

Rob Lake (Office of the Provost and VP Academic)

Thanks to:

Jim Franks (University Archives)

Jodeen Litwin (Alumni Affairs)

Tashie Macapagal (Office of the Provost)

Rick Pilger (Alumni Affairs)

Steve Sutphen (Computing Science)

Kevan Warner (University Archives)

Documents

Athabasca Hall - The University's First Building Part III: 1971-1996