1

The Pas Community Building and Courthouse
circa 1925
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Archives of Manitoba, Campbell, John A. 172 (N12837)

2

The Pas Community Building and Courthouse was built in 1916 by The Pas architect George Nelson Taylor and completed in 1917 in the midst of WWI. It was a symbol of the expansion, permanence, and importance of The Pas as the capital of "New Manitoba". Built as an indication of provincial commitment to the development of the north, this building was the first provincial courthouse north of Dauphin. Today the Sam Waller Museum building holds the title for oldest brick building north of Dauphin. It was used until 1979, and with history-minded members of the town fearing it would be demolished much like the Red Brick School, a move into the building for community groups was suggested. At this time, various community groups used it for storage, but by March 1981, it was vacated for renovation and in 1982 the Courthouse was declared a provincial historic site. A Building Committee and Fundraising Committee were established to take on the large project.

The total amount of money raised was $1.3 million from the Manitoba Department of Culture, Heritage and Recreation, Canada Museums Assistance Program for the Department of Communications, Canada-Manitoba Tourism Development Agreement, Town of The Pas, and the Manitoba Heritage Federation, as well as local businesses, service clubs, individuals, and foundations.

3

Renovated Staircase
circa 1992
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Paul Thistle
Sam Waller Museum Collection

4

Before construction began, it was believed renovations would cost $650,000 - $1,000,000. When they actually began construction, original estimates were $557,203 for Phase I (restoration), $592,197 for Phase II (tenant improvements), and $89,000 for Phase III (museum exhibits, etc.), coming to a total of $1,238,400.

The Prairie Partnership: Thompson & MacFarlane Architects won the contract for the renovations to the museum and Kelsey Construction Co. Ltd. and Foresight Constructors Ltd. did the contracting work.

It was believed at first that the Museum would only require use of the main floor and other community groups would have their own space in the basement and top floor of the Courthouse. They thought that the two floors suggested were an over-estimation of the Museum's needs and reduced the number of other user groups able to occupy the building. The top floor was intended to be a large meeting room with a stage, washrooms, kitchen, and a number of offices. The basement was to include a gymnasium/meeting room, washrooms, mechanical room for storage, various offices, and a vault.

By April 1982 the Building Committee began questioning if they should leave the museum with its original proposed floor plan, move it to the main floor of the Courthouse to increase its floor space slightly, make it a larger regional museum using the first and second floors, or to leave the Sam Waller Museum where it was and create an entirely new regional museum.

5

Sam Waller Museum Inauguration
circa 1992
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Pearl King
Sam Waller Museum Collection

6

The Pas Courthouse and Community Building Provincial Designation
circa 1991
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Pearl King
Sam Waller Museum Collection

7

In December of 1982, the Courthouse's would-be tenants were The Pas Arts Council, Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival Inc., Theatre 53, Chamber of Commerce, The Pas Historical Society, The Pas Boxing Club, Sam Waller Little Northern Museum, Kelsey Recreation Ballet Dance Group, The Pas Music Club and The Pas Music and Fine Arts Festival.

By January 1983 there was a meeting to discuss the need of the Courthouse to be fully refurbished before moving artifacts. They wanted less postage stamp-sized rooms, so walls needed to be moved and sprinkler systems had to be installed throughout the building. Sam's collection couldn't be broken up due to instructions that he left in his will, and the Public Library had to remain separate from Sam's collection so no books from his collection would be discarded. After this meeting the 1983 architectural report proposed that the Museum become a major tenant.

"The change to these original plans occurred due to the cost of occupation for the user groups, less appropriate user groups inhabiting the space, the Museum needed the entire space, and user groups were ignorant of what was involved in occupying the space. Needless to say, after all of this, it was determined that the entire building was needed to hold the Museum and Municipal Archival Records." [Paul Thistle personal communication to Sharain Jones 29 July 2008]

8

Staff Desk and Cabinets
circa 1992
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Paul Thistle
Sam Waller Museum Collection

9

Along with renovating the space for the use of various groups, it was also in dire need of updating. The updates required were:
-sprinkler system
-alarm/detection system
-upgrade exits
-emergency lighting system
-new electrical and mechanical systems
-installation of elevator and handicap access
-energy conservation measures
-new windows
-new floor support system
-insulating ceiling
-constructing a new roof.

10

Beauchesne and Co.
circa 1994
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Beauchesne and Co.
Sam Waller Museum Collection

11

Original Estimated Timeline
April 25, 1987 Transfer of building and grant award from the Province of Manitoba to the Town of The Pas
June 30, 1987 Final selection of architect
October 31, 1987 Final approval of architectural plans
December 31, 1987 Completion of tendering process
February 1, 1988 Start of renovation project; celebration of Museum's 30th Anniversary
October 31, 1988 Renovation construction completed
December 31, 1988 Completion of installation of furnishings and equipment
April 30, 1989 Completion of move of operations and collections into new facility
December 31, 1989 Introduction exhibits completed; full operation in new facility; major gallery development underway

12

Beauchesne and Co.
circa 1994
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Beauchesne and Co.
Sam Waller Museum Collection

13

After the renovations began, it was a whirlwind of struggles to find funding, meet deadlines, keep grants, stay on budget, and correct constantly occurring problems with suppliers and construction and even a vandalism at one point. During all of this, an archives was also developed to add to Sam's already large collection.

By at least April 1987, the Courthouse was just being renovated as a museum and archives. Although, by May 1988 the Little Northern Museum Building Committee was discussing a five-year lease with the Golden Age Group on level I (basement) of the Courthouse, the group formally withdrew by September and the Museum was once again its sole tenant.

On Saturday, April 25, 1987 the ownership of the Little Northern Museum transferred from the province to the town for $1. Mayor Bruce Unfried joked he didn't have a dollar on him, but the History and Heritage Society President Syd Allen was quick to supply one. The Little Northern Museum was then designated a regional museum in 1989.

In June of 1987 the Museum gave the town a cheque for $10,800 for climate control equipment donated by the Manitoba Heritage Foundation (they donated a total of $12,000).

14

Stored Natural History Collection
circa 1992
The Pas, Manitoba, Canada

Credits:
Paul Thistle
Sam Waller Museum Collection