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New Facilities

A physical testimony to the University’s expansion during the 1950s is the number of new facilities that were constructed or completed during that time.

Students’ efforts at subscribing costs towards building a Students’ Union building had been a crusade for years. Bill Pybus, a veteran student, was particularly enthusiastic about involving the Alberta government in the students’ mission to have their own building. The provincial government kicked in an interest-free loan which was to be repayable over a period of 20 years. The government’s matching contribution to construction costs resulted in the completion of Students’ Union Building in 1950.

Rutherford Library, named for Alexander Cameron Rutherford—Alberta’s first premier, the University’s founder, and University Chancellor from 1927 to 1941—was a jewel in the University’s crown. Completed in 1951, the library also housed the Department of Extension’s fine collection of materials.

The Provincial Lab and the McEachern Cancer Research Laboratory officially opened in 1952.

At the time of the University’s inception, Alberta’s agricultural sector dominated the province’s economy. The University recognized the importance of agriculture through various courses, creation of the University Farm, linkages with agricultural schools such as Olds College, and outreach programs by the Department of Extension. Until the 1950s, the Faculty of Agriculture had carried out its business in the North Lab and in temporary accommodations. A building dedicated to the Faculty of Agriculture was constructed in 1953 and formally opened in October 1954. The Department of Biological Sciences was housed in the Agriculture Building until its own building was opened in 1971.

One of the busiest faculties on campus during the 1950s was the Faculty of Engineering. Alberta’s expanding industrial sector resulted in a high demand for engineers. According to George Ford, author of Sons of Martha: University of Alberta – Faculty of Engineering, 1913–88, “The demand for engineers grew. The University and the Faculty responded; 621 were admitted in the fall of ’53, 720 in ’54, 835 in ’55 and on in leaps and bounds to 1,134 in ’57; 55 of whom were registered in first year in Calgary. Engineering now constituted fully 20 percent of the University enrollment. We were bulging at the seams once more.”

For years, engineering staff and students worked in over-crowed, ill-equipped classrooms contained in the South Lab. The architectural firm of Rule, Wynn and Rule completed plans for the Civil Engineering Building in 1951. It was officially opened October 30, 1953. Growing demands and extra space requirements for Mechanical, Chemical, and Electrical Engineering were addressed in subsequent decades.

In the late 1950s, the Alberta government provided funds to build the twin Jubilee Auditoria for Edmonton and Calgary. Although not directly connected to the University of Alberta, Edmonton’s Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium opened in 1957 and marked a wonderful opportunity for Edmontonians as well as University staff and students to attend cultural events. It also provided space for the University’s growing Convocation needs.

Opened in September 1957, the new Administration Building housed offices for the President, the Registrar, and the Bursar. Additionally, room was made for the University Bookstore.