Weber State University - Acorn Yearbook (Ogden, UT)

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m History of the Qyninasium KROM the founding of the Weber Academv on the present site there grew up a demand for a gymnasium for the students. Principal Louis F. Moench was very anxious to have a place where the boys and girls might receive the proper physical training. Such a place had not been provided in the first Weber building, completed after much effort, in 1893. lister Park Pavilion was first used for indoor sports and later, unheated buildings down town. Weber’s success in athletics under such adverse conditions only spurred the students on to demand better accommodations for their athletic activities. Under the leadership of Principal David O. McKay, a drive was made for a new building adjoining the “old” building. 'Phis resulted in the erection in 1907 of the present annex. While accommodations here tor athletics were far better than those prevailing previously, they were not satisfactory, either for physical training classes or for sports. As a consequence there was soon born a demand for a real “Gym.” The Student Body and Faculty were enthusiastic; rallies and banquets were held, cele- brations staged, committees appointed. These committees visited prominent men of the city and received conditional promises of financial aid. Canvassing was done in the wards of the city and county, and some money was collected and held in re- serve. Due to changes in administration and other conditions the wave of enthusi- asm was allowed to subside. Then came the World War with the struggle for world freedom. This temporarily relegated the “Gym” spirit into the background; but with the cessation of hostilities the movement was again brought to the front. President David Q. McKay obtained a promise from the Church to meet half the expenses of such a building. Plans were made for a building to cost sixty thousand dollars. Upon reconsideration, however, such a sum was deemed too small by far, and seventy-five thousand dollars was sug- gested as the minimum cost. Later one hundred thousand, then two hundred thousand, and finally three hundred thousand dollars was found to be actually necessary to construct a building that would be adequate for the needs of Weber Col- lege, Ogden City, and Weber County. According to the plan, the Gymnasium was to be open not only to Weber but to business and professional people and to the citizens in general. Assessments were made for each ward in Weber County amounting to a hundred thousand dollars; fifty thousand dollars were assigned to the business men of Ogden; one hundred fifty thousand were to come from the Church. The plans were completed by the architects, and the property purchased in 1920. March 8, 1920 the school declared a holiday and cleared the site ready for the building. Dur- ing the summer the foundation was completed bur due to the financial panic of 1920, great difficulty was encountered in making collections and the work was not con- tinued until 1922. Because of the money stringency of the past two years, raising the assessments has been a herculean task. The sacrifice and self-denial of the people in raising the money have been worthy of the sons and daughters of the Pioneers. The building now stands as a monument to indomitable courage and persistence. F.very brick, beam, and pillar represents struggle and devotion and the massive and imposing building is symbolic of the ideals and aspiration of noble sons and daughters of wor- thy sires.