Time capsule mystery solved just in time

There was some doubt as to whether the time capsule from Connaught School's two incarnations would be located before the end of a centennial celebration June 1. However, 15 minutes before the event was due to end, it was finally uncovered.

By Jayne Foster Staff Reporter Jun 6, 2013 2:00 AM

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1 / 1 The original Connaught School was built in 1913 for a sum of $150,000, with its official opening April 17, 1914 attended by more than 1,000 people. There were 11 rooms on the first and second storeys and an auditorium on the third floor of the granite-trimmed Georgian frame and red brick building. News reports of the day state that on Thursday, May 29, 1986, part of the ceiling of a basement classroom collapsed, forcing the emergency closure of the school. A track and field meet held outdoors the next day was the last official day of school held at the old building. Staff and students finished the term at the North Battleford Comprehensive High School and the board of education made arrangements to rent a portion of the Don Ross Community Centre to house students until a new school could be constructed. At the time of the ceiling collapse, the school had already been slated for closure by the 1987-88 school term. The principal at the time, John Diehl, said although he was aware of the school's run down condition, the evacuation came as "a shock to all of us."Photo courtesy of the City of North Battleford Historic Archives

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There was some doubt as to whether the time capsule from Connaught School's two incarnations would be located before the end of a centennial celebration June 1.

However, 15 minutes before the event was due to end, it was finally uncovered.

A number of holes had been made at various sites in the school, particularly behind the two cornerstones in the foyer, in an effort to find the time capsule that had been opened, added to and re-enshrined in 1988 when the present building was built.

The time capsule contained mementos dating back to 1913, the year the first Connaught School was built, and organizers hoped to find it in time for the event that would mark 100 years of learning at Connaught.

As people gathered on the playground, Principal Jay Nichol appealed to anyone who might know where it was located.

"Lots of people have stories about the time capsule," he said. "If anybody has direct recollection of where it might be we're still looking and we have a sledge hammer ready to go. There are many holes in the school right now from trying to find it."

The event was scheduled to run from noon until 3 p.m. and it wasn't until 2:45 that the time capsule was finally discovered, said Nichol Monday.

Most people were expecting to find it in the space behind the 1988 cornerstone, said vice-principal Carla Bernier, but the chance reading of a photo caption amongst the exhibits of Connaught history set up in the gymnasium for the day pointed them in the right direction.

It was determined they'd been looking in the right place, but their aim had been too low. It was actually at the top of the area backing the original cornerstone, which had been stacked on top of the 1988 cornerstone.

Ken Sanders, who was attending the event, was in the school when he heard the commotion being made by the capsule hunters. He squeezed himself through the crowd into the room behind the foyer cornerstones in time to get photos of the excitement as the time capsule was uncovered.

Its contents were laid out on a table for everyone to look over. The items included newspapers, currency, photos, student documents and other mementos from 1913 and from 1988.

"It was very exciting," said Nichol.

The plan now is to get some articles together to add to the capsule and re-deposit it at the time of the awards ceremonies at the end of the month.

This time, laughed Bernier, they will definitely be documenting its location.

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