Lansdowne Campus

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The Young Building, Provincial Normal School, ca. 1920. (UVic Archives Photo No. 006.0617)  Image size = 57KB

     Apart from the academic achievement of alumni, the most striking aspect of the College in its first decade on the Lansdowne campus was its sometimes bizarre struggle to live in harmony with the Provincial Normal School, with which it now shared the distinctive structure opened for teacher training in 1915 (known since 1960 as the Young Building).  In November 1946 Victoria College moved into the west end of the Provincial Normal School building located at the corner of Lansdowne and Foul Bay roads.  From 1947 to 1952 a "cold war" waged between the Provincial Normal School and Victoria College over space and facilities.  In 1952 the Ewing building opened to house offices and the Library.  The cafeteria, presided over by Mrs. "Ma" Norris, was a welcome addition to the College.

     The last years on the Lansdowne Campus mark the end of the College era and the beginning of a new University phase of development.  Planning began for the expansion of facilities to accommodate the children of the post-war baby boom.  Expansion started at Lansdowne with the erection of the Paul Building in 1961, but with the purchase of the additional acreage of the far larger Gordon Head site, planning began for a move north to the site of the old army camp.  A massive fund drive was launched with the Provincial Government matching dollar for dollar money contributed by the community.

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