Vancouver College - Collegian Yearbook (Vancouver, British Columbia Canada)

Page 9 text:

THE DEVELOPMENT OF VANCOUVER COLLEGE A year later a more urgent building need arose. A fire broke out ruining the top floors of McCormack and Lan- non Halls. A new roof was built without the charac- teristic peak seen on the school prior to the damage. Growth continued and the long-delayed gymnasium was built and opened in 1950. Enrollment rose to 600 under Br. W.C. Penny’s term as principal (1948-54). During this term, tennis courts were built in front of the gymnasium and the driveways were blacktopped. During Br. Bates’ first term as principal (1954-60) crowding in the school forced expansion. $125,000 was provided by Henry J. Mackin for the building of a new wing. This extension provided a cafeteria and extra classroom space. In 1959, $50,000 was spent to blacktop a play area east of the gymnasium and drain tiles were in- stalled beneath the surface of the field. Br. F.R. Finch (1960-66) made further additions to the top of the gymnasium, adding locker space and shower facilities. Nichol Hall, facing 38th Ave. was constructed, housing six more classrooms and two laboratories. The addition was named after Monsignor T.M. Nichol, a long-time friend of the College. Since this time. Brothers Clarkson, Bucher, and Bates have succeeded as principals, with Br. Bates, just com- pleting the first year of his second term. Vancouver College has fought strongly to survive and grow throughout this century. We hope to see it spread further, lending its direction to more and more students in the years to come. The great fire at V.C. The top floors of McCormack and Lannon Halls were destroyed and ha d to be reconstructed.

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In 1922, four members of the Christian Brothers, headed by Br. M.J. Lannon arrived in Vancouver to open Vancouver College. To illustrate the interest the Brothers aroused in Vancouver, 91 students turned up on the opening day of school. Sept. 5, 1922. The Brothers residence was at 1112 Broughton St. whereas the school was in what is presently Rosary Hall on Richards Street. The Shaughnessy Heights location was purchased with the aid of Fr. W. O’Boyle and Charles Stafford. The original wing, now known as Lannon Hall, was opened in 1925. McCormack Hall, built through the generosity of J.D. McCormack, was built in 1927 and housed thirty boarders. After completion of this wing, the enrollment rose to 300 students. During the Depression years, the enrollment fell to 200 students. College growth was somewhat stunted during this period. In 1939 at the Depression’s close, Br. E.B. Walsh became principal of Vancouver College. He served V.C. for 28 years as an administrator and teacher. By the end of his term in ' 1945, he had been successful in raising $45,000 toward a Gymnasium for the College. 4 TOP OF PAGE: Vancouver College before the great fire of 1946. ABOVE: The construction of Mackin Hall, our present Cafeteria and grades ten and eleven hallways. RIGHT: The early construction of Nichol Hall. UPPER RIGHT ON 1ACING PAGE: the basic plan in Nichol Hall shows the present placement of the grade eight hallway.

Page 10 text:

DEDICATION MR. LEE WAI Lee Wai, our cook at V.C. for nearly four decades passed away December 19th after a short illness. He was seventy-six years of age. Born in Victoria, B.C., he went to China with his family at an early age but returned to Canada as a young man and remained permanently except for a four-month visit three years ago. Some spiritual writers have stated that the measure of a human being is how perfectly he fulfills the duties of his state of life. By this standard Lee Wai ranked with the highest for he labored conscientiously and without public acclaim over many years for the benefit of others. No call for his assitance ever went unanswered and he rendered his services cheerfully, full of the joy of giving. Numerous Christian Brothers who were assig ned to Vancouver College between 1940 and the present time have returned to Vancouver to he greeted by name by Mr. Lee who seemed never to forget a name or a face - a sign of his enduring personal in- terest in the people he served. The words of Alexander Pope provide a suitable epitaph for this trusted associate. “In action faithful, and in honour clear Who broke no promise, served no private end Who gained to title and who lost no friend.” MAY HE REST IN PEACE.