Athabasca Hall - The University's First BuildingPart V: Computing Science Centre and Athabasca Hall Renovations: 1998-2011

In the mid 1990s the Athabasca Hall Annex was being used as a gymnastics centre. It also housed the Alumni call centre and other miscellaneous groups.

Gymnasium in the Athabasca Hall Annex, 1998

Athabasca Hall was occupied by a number of administrative units which included Alumni Affairs, Public Affairs, Development, Human Rights the Dean of Students, AAS:UA, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, Internal Audit, University Press and the University Senate.

The Department of Computing Science was experiencing rapid growth and was located in the General Services Building, Assiniboia Hall, and the Central Academic Building. There was pressure to consolidate Computing Science into one building.

In May 1996, the Facilities Development Committee gave approval for Computing Science to move to the first and third floors of Athabasca Hall as space became available. Demolition of the interior of these floors did not commence until July 1997.

In addition to planning the move to Athabasca Hall the Department began to consider how to best use the space in the Annex.

Athabasca Hall Annex, 1998

Brinsmead Ziola Associates Architecture & Interiors were hired in December 1996 to either design a retrofit with the existing Annex or design a new replacement facility.

Athabasca Hall Annex, 1998

One proposal suggested having the Annex cored and building a new two or three floor interior.

Athabasca Hall Annex, 1998

In February 1997, the Architect and several members of the Department and the University visited the relatively new computing facilities at the three major universities in British Columbia.

Following this visit, it was recommended the Annex be demolished and replaced by a modern computing laboratory.

Interior of the Athabasca Annex, 1998

In June 1998, the Facilities Development Committee approved a preliminary plan for the demolition of the Annex and construction of a new building. Funding for this initiative was approved by the Board Finance Committee shortly thereafter.

McColman and Sons Demolition was hired to perform the demolition work and destruction of the Annex began in August 1998. Work was completed within two months at a cost of about $200,000.

Demolition of the Dining Room

Although not much in the building was worth salvaging, the windows were removed and stored at the University Farm.

Exterior View of the Athabasca Hall Annex Windows

Interior View of the Athabasca Hall Annex Windows

The site stood empty for about six months while plans were solidified into a bid package and construction funds were solicited for the Computing Science Centre.

Athabasca Annex Undergoing Demolition

In May 1999, Aman Construction was awarded the contract for the construction of the new facility.

Athabasca Annex Demolished

In order to preserve the view of Athabasca Hall, the new building could not exceed the height of Athabasca Hall.

Model of the Proposed Computing Science Center

An official Ground Breaking Ceremony took place on May 7, 1999.

A ceremonial shovel was used to break the new ground.

Among those who participated in the ground breaking ceremony were:

Paul Sorenson, Chair of the Computing Science Centre Committee

Randy Goebel, Chair of Computing Science

Dick Peter, Dean of the Faculty of Science

Doug Owram, Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

Lois Hole, Chancellor of the University (1998-2000)

Eric Newell, Chancellor of the University (2004-2008)

Dick Peter Breaking Ground

Lois Hole Breaking Ground

Speeches were given in Athabasca Hall’s Heritage Lounge following the ceremony.

Doug Owram, Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

During the construction phase, a small fire occurred on April 13, 2000. Although the fire was confined to one room, the smoke caused over $1 million in damages.

While the new building was under construction, Athabasca Hall was retrofitted to accommodate the needs of Computing Science. Delnor was contracted for these renovations and for some work in the new building.

When the north wall immediately inside the east main entrance was opened for the new Computing Science reception area, an old fireplace was discovered that had been covered with drywall during the renovations in the 1970s.

Lobby before the fireplace was discovered

Hidden fireplace

The south wall inside the east main entrance likely still contains a hidden fireplace, as do the walls on the other floors.

South Wall of Athabasca Hall Lobby

In April and May 2001 the Department of Computing Science vacated General Services Building and moved into Athabasca Hall and the Computing Science Centre.

Unpacking in the CSC Atrium

The Computing Science Centre was officially opened on June 13, 2001 with a ceremony in the Computing Science Centre atrium.

Computing Science Centre Opening Ceremony

Speeches were given by:

Randy Goebel, Chair of Computing Science

Dick Peter, Dean of Science

Rod Fraser, President of the University (1995-2005)

John Ferguson, Chancellor of the University (2000-2004)

Opening Ceremony Speakers

Tours of the research labs followed the official program.

The cost for the Computing Science Centre was approximately $8 million and the total cost for all demolition, retrofitting and construction was about $12 million.

Computing Science Centre and Athabasca Hall

With the opening of the Computing Science Centre, the Department of Computing Science occupied all of Athabasca Hall with the exception of the 4th floor, which was home to the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies.

Athabasca Hall and Autumn Colors

As the Department expanded in the first decade of the 21st century, pressure grew to acquire the remaining space in Athabasca Hall.

University of Alberta's 90th Anniversary Celebration

In 2010, new space finally became available that enabled Ukrainian Studies to move to Pembina Hall. This resulted in Computing Science becoming the sole occupant of Athabasca Hall.

Athabasca Hallway, 2011

2011 marks the opening of the Faculty of Science's newest building - the Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies (CCIS) - and the centennial of the Faculty of Science's oldest building - Athabasca Hall.

Athabasca Hall and CCIS

May Athabasca Hall continue to serve the needs of the University into its second century.

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)