Relocated Buildings
Shawnigan Lake School takes “recycling” seriously, including its buildings. Often an old building can be modified for a different purpose – or for the same purpose, but in a new location. The School has moved at least ten buildings on its campus, some of them twice. If a building has historical significance, then the motivation may be high to keep it.
There are many kinds of specialized equipment and numerous steps in moving a building, which we will not describe here. The following campus buildings have been moved:
There are many kinds of specialized equipment and numerous steps in moving a building, which we will not describe here. The following campus buildings have been moved:
“Panabode” (a machine-profiled log structure)
Built in 1956 as a staff residence. In 1982, it was moved to the west of the gym to make way for the new Lake’s and Ripley’s Houses, and covered with stucco. It remained a staff residence until 2007 when it was converted to a Preschool and Daycare. It was moved again in 2014, just south of where it was sitting, to make room for the ice arena.
Panabode storage shed
First moved in 1982 to the tennis courts. It was moved over 30 years later to a site near the Music Building to be used for storage.
Cricket Pavilion
Built in 1934. No longer in use, it was moved in 2000 to a site north of the Shaw Centre to become the centre of Maintenance operations.
Staff Cottage
Built in 1929, it was moved in 2000 from the corner of Hartl and Renfrew Roads to a new site on the former Hartl Farm property (just north of Lecky House); it remains a staff residence.
Mabel Lonsdale Cottage
Built for Mabel Lonsdale in 1929, it has remained a staff residence. It was moved in 2000 to a site just north of Lecky House to make room for the new Head’s residence.
Assembly Hall
Begun as the School gym in late 1926, it survived the fire. It was converted to the Assembly Hall in 1966 with the addition of a stage, and moved in August 2001 from the west side to the east side of the Main Building to make room for the new dining hall. It is now the Wilkinson Theatre.
Craig Block
Opened in March 1962 as a physics lecture room, laboratory and a language lab. It was moved a short distance to the west in 2001 to make way for the new dining hall. A second story was added; it is now the centre for mathematics.
Copeman’s Storage Shed
This 1929 large shed was moved in 2005 to a site to the southeast of the Main Building. With an addition, it became the Mable Lonsdale Music Centre.
The Cook’s Butchery
Later used for storage, it was moved in 2013 from the northeast corner of the Main Building to a location on the road below (where it was dubbed “The Cat Shed”), then moved again in 2016 to a site behind the dining hall to become the purchasing office.
The Cook’s House
It was built in c. 1928 and was later used as the music building, and then as a social studies classroom. It was moved in 2013 to a site west of the path near Lake Omar. It was renamed the Peter Yates Centre, after long-time Shawnigan Outdoor Pursuits leader and English teacher; it now houses an English classroom.
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
Built in 1956 as a staff residence. In 1982, it was moved to the west of the gym to make way for the new Lake’s and Ripley’s Houses, and covered with stucco. It remained a staff residence until 2007 when it was converted to a Preschool and Daycare. It was moved again in 2014, just south of where it was sitting, to make room for the ice arena.
Panabode storage shed
First moved in 1982 to the tennis courts. It was moved over 30 years later to a site near the Music Building to be used for storage.
Cricket Pavilion
Built in 1934. No longer in use, it was moved in 2000 to a site north of the Shaw Centre to become the centre of Maintenance operations.
Staff Cottage
Built in 1929, it was moved in 2000 from the corner of Hartl and Renfrew Roads to a new site on the former Hartl Farm property (just north of Lecky House); it remains a staff residence.
Mabel Lonsdale Cottage
Built for Mabel Lonsdale in 1929, it has remained a staff residence. It was moved in 2000 to a site just north of Lecky House to make room for the new Head’s residence.
Assembly Hall
Begun as the School gym in late 1926, it survived the fire. It was converted to the Assembly Hall in 1966 with the addition of a stage, and moved in August 2001 from the west side to the east side of the Main Building to make room for the new dining hall. It is now the Wilkinson Theatre.
Craig Block
Opened in March 1962 as a physics lecture room, laboratory and a language lab. It was moved a short distance to the west in 2001 to make way for the new dining hall. A second story was added; it is now the centre for mathematics.
Copeman’s Storage Shed
This 1929 large shed was moved in 2005 to a site to the southeast of the Main Building. With an addition, it became the Mable Lonsdale Music Centre.
The Cook’s Butchery
Later used for storage, it was moved in 2013 from the northeast corner of the Main Building to a location on the road below (where it was dubbed “The Cat Shed”), then moved again in 2016 to a site behind the dining hall to become the purchasing office.
The Cook’s House
It was built in c. 1928 and was later used as the music building, and then as a social studies classroom. It was moved in 2013 to a site west of the path near Lake Omar. It was renamed the Peter Yates Centre, after long-time Shawnigan Outdoor Pursuits leader and English teacher; it now houses an English classroom.
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
