Front page
The Students' Vision
Fundraising Campaign
The Architects' Vision
Under Construction
The Vision Realized
The Official Opening
Lest We Forget

Beginning in January 1946 the War Memorial Gym Committee, consisting of representatives of students, alumni and faculty organizations, oversaw the planning for the new facility and co-ordinated a major province-wide fundraising campaign.

Drawing of proposed gymnasium - 1946
(from Ubyssey)

The Committee originally estimated that construction of a memorial gymnasium would cost approximately $500,000 and they adopted as a provisional design for the fundraising effort, a drawing prepared for a proposed gymnasium at the University of Western Ontario in 1944. The design seemed quite in keeping with the "collegiate gothic" style then existing on campus.

As originally envisaged, the facility would include a memorial hall, gymnasium, swimming pool and auxiliary gym as well as other amenities.

The initial fundraising campaign began in February 1946. To help finance the project, UBC students agreed to increase their AMS fee from $13 to $15 and allocated $5 each to the fund in 1946/47. The Provincial Government and the UBC Board of Governors provided $75,000 toward the project.

All student clubs staged at least one fundraising event as part of the campaign. Students also canvassed for funds throughout the province. In addition they approached service clubs and developed a strategy for identifying individuals and firms that should be approached for donations.

Fundraising cartoon - February 1946
(from Ubyssey)

Throughout the Province, student committees campaigned vigorously, but at the end of a year, in January 1947 when the expected time for the campaign had passed, just over $200,000 of the estimated goal of $500,000 had been collected. During the year UBC students authorized the AMS to borrow $150,000 when necessary.

Fundraising cartoon - February 1946
(from Ubyssey)

Front page | The Students' Vision | Fundraising Campaign | The Architects' Vision | Under Construction
The Vision Realized | The Official Opening | Lest We Forget

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