One hundred and twelve years ago on Monday, November 17, the Vermilion School of Agriculture opened to fanfare with the premier, the federal minister of agriculture and locals extolling the virtues of the $45,000 building (in today’s dollars a touch under $1.5 million).

Their praise was for a large (four-storey), well-heated, well-lit and well-ventilated building. But in half a century, it was demolished to make way for something better.

Today, that building’s successor is undergoing a modernization. When the rejuvenated Bentley Building opens to students next fall at the Vermilion campus, the 13 flexible classrooms will be fitted with current technology. Beyond that, the award-winning interior design technology program will have updated studio classrooms and project spaces, human services students will have access to counselling practice rooms, a playroom and play lab with seamless access to an outdoor natural playscape and more. There will also be a smudge-safe Indigenous lounge, student gathering spaces and makerspaces.

The Bentley Building was first known as the College Building, replacing the original building in the late 1960s. In 1984, it was renamed for principal Newcombe N. Bentley.

The Bentley Building modernization follows its counterpart, the WHT Mead Building, also constructed in the 1960s, using the old footprint to create a building suited to the 21st century and its students.

Bricks and mortar are the infrastructure for Lakeland College, a post-secondary that has survived and thrived, due to its spirit and the innovative leaders who have molded its campuses and programs.

Momentum swings in 1985

One year, 1985, demonstrated both the vision of expanded infrastructure and the blow of an unexpected event.

Rejuvenation and growth were the hallmarks of the 1980s and early 1990s. A forward-looking farm management plan resurrected agricultural sciences. Among the improvements was a new dairy facility equipped with computer chip technology. Major construction included new residence buildings, a Trades Centre and Academic Link.

These building officially opened in June 1985. Another college original, the dorm building that became known as Alumni Hall, was being renovated. However, disaster struck in October when fire razed the historic structure. Fortunately, the college received funding to rebuild, and by the college’s 75th anniversary in 1988 the new Alumni Hall was officially opened.

At the same time as that construction was underway, a site was chosen for the Lloydminster campus in 1987. Its residence village came first providing housing for workers who built the then Husky bi-provincial upgrader. Eventually the campus building officially opened in 1991.

The Bill Kondro Wing (2008) and Energy Centre (2015) are two of the major additions to the Lloydminster campus since then.

Other new facilities and renovated spaces have filled the years since on both campuses. The latest construction is part of Vision 2030 looking into the next era of Lakeland College’s history.

Photos: Top - Rendering of the reimagined Bentley Building. Middle -Official opening of the “new” College Building in the mid-1960s. It was later renamed for Newcombe Bentley, a long-serving principal. Bottom - Back side of the Bentley Building, with the dormitory construction in the background (1928).