~~~——--- Siifprise to Provincial Town Planner Walter deSilva.
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Economic outlook bright as year of unp:
Prince Edward Islanders have every reason for optim- ism over. their economic future, if the progressive strides of the past 12 months are to be held as an indication of what the future holds.
was nowhere more apparent than in the Island’s two largest communities, Charlottetown and Summerside. Construction was at a peak in the two centres with Charlottetown enjoying a building boom that. saw more than $5,000,000 spent on new structures while Summerside hurtled headlong towards the status of a second city on the strength of a house building spree of nearly $3,000,000.
OUTLOOK BRIGHT FOR 1962
The outlook for 1962 is even brighter in Charlottetown with at least $10.000,000 slated to be spent on two build- ings alone. the Prov ncial Building and the Fathers of Confederation Memorial Building. Other projects are ex- pected to see an al!-time record set in construction in 1962. The march forward was pronounced in the tourist in- dustry ‘which enjoved a record year. A record number of
BUILDING DESCRIBED AS AWARD CANDIDATE
If the new Fathers of Confederation Memorial Building | wins the coveted Massey Medal in-architeeture;-it will Come as |
Mr. deSilva points out that careful examination of the plans and photographs of the building indicates that it would be an outs'anding piece of civie—arehitecture when it is erected.
1 would be very much surprised if it does not qualify for a
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et 000,000. du visitors spent more than $8 po “arg
some Risuldd macrease of sqore.than SPP: jous record year, 1960.
The tourist boom was reflected by an all-time record traffic at both P.E.1. ferry terminals, Borden and Wood Is- _ lands, while the National Park led the entire nation from © the point of view of the number of visitors with an as- — tos
total of -952,000- more than nine times the pop- i the bodming beef” "Maritimes ulation of the Island. shortage to seven million pounds of beef To accommodate this crush of sightseers, hundreds of exists, ¢®
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thousands of dollars were spent on new motels that rose in points as far apart as Montague and Alberton; highwavs; . provincial parks and great expansion at the government | owned National Park.
AGRICULTURE GETS NEW LOOK
The Island’s most vital industry, agriculture, began ‘o take on a new look as. fresh new ideas, concepts and atti- tudes began to change its face. : { The infant still experimental tobacco industry, con- tinued to show the progress that leads experts to believe that it will become a source of great wea'th to the province in the years to come. Some 80 highly productive acres wer¢
New concepts of marketing haye not only poss'ble for Island potatoes to hold a premium Bs tario and Quebec markets, but have opened new fields to the sale of other Island produce. i
TRADE WAS NEVER HIGHER a _ Island trade with northern markets has never been” — higher with an increase of 43 per cent last year, and con- Unued growth for years to come assured. ty obese A new awareness of the vital role played ! was obvious through the Island and regional high schools began to dot the landscape of comifunity after community. Vocational schoo! training was not forgotten. with a new
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1961 Progress Edition
Massey Medal in architecture and, if it does, I believe, it would -be the first building in the Maritimes to qualify for this coveted
award.”, he says
He points out, however; that te qualify for the award the quality. of construction should be matched by the design and drawings which rests a great deal in the hands of contractors and the supervising architects.
DIGNIFIED, MODEST EDIFICE
The town pianner notes, thai when the building fs completed, one can visualize a dignified and modest edifice, a- true monu- ment to confederation, where Canadians from the four corners of the country will mingle in a civic plazza im the birth place of the nation.
“It will present a busy scene, particularly during the summer months, perhaps a little crowded by day and at night will trans- form to a well lit enclosed square of activity that will enhance the urban scene.’’, he observes.
He hopes that both. the provincial and civic governments will take adequate steps to see that any future development around Queen Square will be in keeping with the proportions of the /tistoric surroundings and that the gardens will be well maintained.
When construction of the building was first Proposed it was noted that the building would provide a suitable memorial te Confederation along with a complete face lifting of the public | gardens, squares, Victoria Park, Government Pond and the | government buildings. J
This, it was said, was necessary if there was to be a proper | celebration im Charlottetown in 1964 of Confederation. |
The idea eventually resulted in 47 Canadian architects enter- ing designs in a competition for the proposed building, with the winners being announced in January 1962. {
After taking into consideration ‘six basic factors. a seven man jury named a Monireal firm headed by Ray Affleck and Dimitri Dimakopoulos, winners of the competition.
The two architects stated that the basic concept in designing the building was to coniinue an Island quality that existed rather than create a monument which would contradict it.
THE NATION BEGAN HERE
They said as the basic seat of Canada’s early formation, they wished to give people entering the area an emotional feel- ing that it was here the nation began and that this was really the key part of the entire plan.
The site of the new building includes an area of slightly more than six acres in the heart of Charlottetown, bounded by Queen, Richmond, Church and Grafton Streets. The construction of the building is expected to begin early this summer. An invitation has been sent by the province through Lieutenant- Governor’ F. Walter Hyndman to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to officially open the building in 1964.
Among the main items called for in the specifications are a | theatre, art galleries’ libraries, museum and archives, a memor- jal entrance hall and a restaurant.
The theatre, or auditoritm is to be designed to seat 1,000 people. A.revolving stage is to be installed. It is pointed out that such a stage will facilitate scene changes.
Outside caterers will provide meals im a restaurant to seat ®& persons. |
According to the Foundation, it can be assumed that this restaufant is a service for persons attending conventions as well | as for summer visitors to the building. An everyday service, |’ coffee and sandwiches etc., will be available, but dinners and | lunches will be provided when required.
EVERY PRECAUTION-TAKEN << 5
Every possible precaution will be taken to make the con-. /@ struction of the building fire resisting. Heating for the building and the provincial building will be from a ntral heating—pla: F cing. 5 s
tt thras beech imiicated That a direcior. will be appointed to be in charge of all operations — theatre, library, gallery, and . Museum — with persons -under his directions -in charge of the othe activities.of the building.
Provision will be made for the development of a garden and its maintenance as~a_ setting for the new: building and the provincia: building.
In the section of the art gallery it is stated that works of sculpture will be obtained and displayed outside the building to acid to the decoration of the landscape. Included in the interior gallery section will be exhibition rooms, a reception and board room, an art library, and committee room, a kitchenette, a work area, a general office and a lecture room which will be a small auditorium seating 300 persons.
HISTORIC MUSEUM
Included in tie library area will be a main adult reading room, circulating and reference area; a children’s library and story hour and film room; the legislative library; a catalogueing room; general staff quarters: and a room for photography, which will include a darkroom.
The museum will function mainly as an historical museum with displays changing from time to time. The museum will eontain a main gallery and two small galleries.
The archives section is to contain a curator’s office, a
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¢ommittee room, a general records office, an archivist's office, | a storage area, a repair room, a fumigation room and other | space for work necessary to the preservation of records.
UNDERLINING THE VITAL ROLE PLAYED BY EDUCATION, SCHOOLS RQSE ACROSS
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OF THE DESIGN CONTRACT FOR THIS MAGNI FICENT $5 MILLION MEMORIAL BUILDING 7 ff Wi 3 \ ‘ :
« ‘MV Confederation to operate in 1962
Tourists visiting Prince Ed-, strait without having to ters ward Island this summer wil around, travelling stern firstend Thave a brand new ship with a bow first alternately.
fine old name to carry them) CARRIES 80 VEHICLES acro North rland
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; : ; Tecan carry 80 vehicles and 30 She -is the MV Confederation padaengers, wad built for. the latagh addition to the Hest seed Island service in’ Halifax Sbip-
by Canadian National MSR Oa Te yards; She is specially strength between Borden and Cape Tor ood as an ice-breaker,
menting ~~ For those used to the Confed- The $3,000,000 Confederation eration’s senior sisters Sime.
is probably one of the. most un- wy Abegweit, SS Prince Bae
| usual-ships used since the CN ward Island and SS Scotia .If -
took over the ferry service in the newcomer’s appearance will 1916, But her unconventional de- come as a pleasant surprise.
| sign makes it possible for her to She is the first ship of the CN
cut down on manéeuvring time fleet to be included in the conv
at beth terminals pany's redesign program, and
- “& floating bridge” is one of will sport the bold new colors:
the names applied to the Con and designs that have wor federation, and it is not inap awards and praise actoss the propriate. She is double-ended, country .
red with the new
which means that vehicles are Her funnel is
driven on through one entrance CN symbol in white. Her super--
and out through another at the structure is sparkling white.
opposite end of the ship. and the main part of her hull ts “meet, The Confederation has two blue
| propellers, two rudders and a, The smart, fast new ship: wail
EP | bridge at eit end so that she make her presence felt during
My. * > ae | can be navigated as easily stern the peak traffie season this sum-
“ " first as im the conventional man- mer, when she will make seven CONFEDERATION WAS LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER | ner. She shuttles across te! round trips a day. . a oo gemma ,
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Lied Ba Soe ee firs at ae 3 -: ——— » a ae ISLAND. LEFT IS O'LEARY SCHOOL, CENTRE S'SIDE'S NEW rene SCHOOL RISES; re 9 : a ce peng oe aaa #.