WHERE ARE WE?

A prairie town ½ way

between Saskatoon &

Calgary has one of the last

original intact Canadian

Northern Railroad

Roundhouses left in Canada.Hanna Roundhouse Society

Ref: Special Areas Board

Hanna Roundhouse Society

MISSION STATEMENT

To create a functional space for providing

culture, education, economic opportunities

and railroad history through the restoration

and development of the Hanna Roundhouse.Unanimous vote by Hanna Roundhouse Society board &

directors, March 14, 2011

Boiler Room = Interpretive Center

Locomotive Service Bays= Great Hall

Auction Ring/seating area = Weigh Scale

Theatre & Night Club

WHO ARE WE?

We are a small group of volunteers passionate about saving this building for the historical significance to Hanna & surrounding communities in Special Area. Some of us are railroad buffs; some of us are history buffs. Regardless, we all feel we are doing something to save a piece of local & Western Canadian history & to bring attention to our prairie town with positive influences on our opportunity for rural development.

Aug 8, 2015 featuring our Board/Volunteers accepting the

Provincial Historic Resource Plaque: L-R: Walter Alksne,

Vice Pres., Karen Frobb, Director; Ed Kurbis, Director;

Carol Kurbis, Treas.; MLA Kim Schreiner for Min. Culture

& Tourism David Eggen, Maureen Tyers, Sec.; Kyle Toporchak,

Director; Sandra Beaudoin, Pres/Founder; John Kaster, Director.

The Hanna Roundhouse Society is a Non-Profit Society incorporated January 13, 2010 (#5015121196).

1913 CNoR PLANS FOR

HANNA’S ROUNDHOUSE

Original 10 bays outlined in 1913 with

the 1918 addition of 5 more bays as the

“Future”. Then there is also another 5

bays for “Extension” & another 5 bays to

be added in a “Future Extension”!

Was Hanna to have 25 bays in total

before WW1 started in 1914?

HISTORY

“The Town of Hanna is about ½ way between Calgary & Saskatoon & was designated a Canadian Northern Railway Divisional point in 1912 by D. B. Hanna, executive of the CNoR. “Being designated a railway divisional point virtually ensured a community’s economic future.” (Ref: Along These Lines, Canadian Northern Society, p. 32)

“The new roundhouse when completed will be a most substantial affair being built entirely of reinforced concrete. The structure is divided in the center by a fire proof concrete wall, five stalls occupying each side. To the rear, a machine shop capable of turning out the work of a large divisional point has been erected, and the latest machinery and appliances will be installed”. (Ref: “Work progressing rapidly at CNR Yards, Hanna Herald, Sept 19, 1913, Hanna Archives).

Ref: Hanna Archives

Ref: Hanna Archives

Water Tower

circa 1915West towards Hanna’s 1913 CNoR Roundhouse from the Sand

Tower in the Hanna Rail yard. (Circa 1914-1918: Hanna Archives)

Left: Sample of some

machinery in a

Machine Shop

Right: Inside a

roundhouse in front

of a steam locomotive

1913 CANADIAN NORTHERN RAILROAD

ROUNDHOUSE ……..

South & West Exposure

North Exposure

East & Northeast Exposure

Eastern Exposure

……..AS IT IS TODAY

HANNA ROUNDHOUSE

SOCIETY VISION

This is a sample of our vision:

Roundhouse Machine Shop =

approx. 3,700 sq. ft.

10 service bay Roundhouse =

approx. 19,000 sq. ft.

Roundhouse Property = 8.97 ac.

The main focus will provide as

much flexibly to allow events to

compatible with other Hanna

venues if possible within ethical

guidelines & still maintain the

integrity of the heritage of this

amazing building & property.

HRS purchases property Sept. 21, 2013 & start cleaning out the

roundhouse.

RHS hold a free-offering Chuckwagon Roast Beef dinner for the public

& target the visitors coming to the Hanna Indoor Pro Rodeo. People get

a chance to see the condition of the building for themselves. Huge

success!

Left: Clint Hutton & Sandra Beaudoin & friend cleaned out the first 5

bays in 7 days & with help from volunteers & donators, were able to raise

our first funds.

Chris Moorhouse gets

permission from HRS

to use the Hanna

Roundhouse for his

Masters Degree in

Architecture &

receives distinction in

2014. Shares his

thesis at the Heritage

Trust in Eastern

Canada 2014.

IMPORTANT INFLUENCE

Roundhouse Components & Potential Improvements

The Roundhouse is divided into:

1. The Machine Shop Interpretive Center: Coffee bar, (liquor bar for special events), Sitting area, Railroad

Library, Historical video display & portable historical railroad display walls suspended from the ceiling

(approx. 3,700 sq. ft.)

2. The Great Hall: rental revenue from public/private events in stalls 1-5 (approx. 9,500 sq. ft.)

3. Auction Ring Theatre: rental revenue for public/private theatre events, lectures, music performances, etc.

This is bays 6 & 7 which total 3,800 sq. ft. (Potential lease of space)

4. Railroad Museum Centre in bays 8-10 (approx. 5,700 sq. ft.). Display of small rolling stock & service bay pit

opened for access.

Future Long term plans:

1. Rebuild of 1918 section, bays 11-15 & consist of 9,500 sq. ft. structural sound construction to replicate

original bays.

2. Extension Build for an additional 9,500 sq. ft. with modern interior?

ENTRANCE POSSIBILITY

Set of 2 double doors

This new area will enclose the west side of service bays 1-5 with access to the

Machine Shop which will serve as an Interpretive Center & public access to the

Roundhouse on the other end of the Machine Shop. Access will also be through

a door at the end of bay 4 where currently there is a boarded up hole in the wall.

This hole has broken 2 large windows; one will be replaced & the other replaced

with a private access door/emergency door.

Administrative Offices & public

washrooms will be built in the

entrance area so not to take

away from the building floor

space.

MACHINE SHOP/BOILER ROOM

MACHINE SHOP /BOILER ROOM

Vision for Boiler Room as a Railroad Interpretive Center

This drawing was commissioned from Donna Brink by Sandra Beaudoin in the Spring 2014…..

Follow the footprints……….

4. West Main Entrance Doors

3. Boiler Access Doors on the North wall will lead to a

patio used as weather permits.

6. Rebuild Original Windows

2. Replace Original Light Fixtures

5. I-Beams in Natural State (may have been added in 1940’s

when walls of roundhouse were raised)

1. Original wood work in ceiling from Pulley systems & Historical wooden machinery supports will remain exposed in full view

7. Model Train Exhibit

Donated to the HRS by the

Heavenly Puff Model Railroad

Club will be on display some

place in this area. 8. Coffee Bar area for visitors & volunteers which can also

pass as a refreshment area for intermission for theater

performances in the theatre space in stalls 6 & 7 of the

roundhouse where the footprints lead, exiting to the NE door of

the Boiler Room.

GRAND HALL

Service Bays 1-5

Wedding photos taken at the 1913

CNoR Roundhouse January 2014

One of the photos (left) shared

with the HRS by the Calgary

Photography Club who we allowed

them to come into the building

supervised by the HRS, Sept. 2015

CN RETIREE RAILROADER

REUNION AUGUST 7-9, 2015 was our first indoor sit down event. It was

invitation only for the Saturday banquets with

catered meal.

The HRS requested a Sunday Service with the

church community which was open to the

public as was the Friday BBQ &

Saturday/Sunday breakfasts. The Sunday

Church service brought a group not necessarily

interested in railroad or history, to the

roundhouse to see the potential of this building

for a variety of events. This was a huge success

& many want more similar events!

This event also allowed the Hanna

Roundhouse Society to share the celebration of

receiving our Provincial Historic Resource

Designation plaque August 8, 2015.

PLANS FOR THE FORMER AUCTION RING

A stage will be installed in front

of the locomotive doors for

backdrop. Leasing this area

out will provide revenue to the

Hanna Roundhouse Society

for operating expenses &

further repairs

The Theatre Area could be

rented out for events when

available from lease for

additional events by other

groups also for revenue for

HRS.

Wall at end of these bays has

been removed exposing the

large RR doors.

MUSEUM POSSIBILITIES FOR BAYS 8-10

• The Railroad Museum would occupy space in bays 8-10. Under a wooden portion of

the floor in bay 8 appears to house a service bay pit which we would like to expose in

the future. In the interim we are considering installing railroad rails in by 8 to house

rolling stock to replicate rails in the service bay.

• House a steam locomotive (or special passenger cars ) & display a collection of rolling

stock in the rail yard which could be renovated or restored.

• Historical Railroad Exhibits we’ve already started collecting & displaying when the

opportunity allows.

Locomotive which ran out of

Hanna with local Engineer at

the controls. Circa 1940’s

Ref: Pat & Ken Parker

ROUNDHOUSE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT PLANS

1. Bed & Breakfast in Caboose Converted

Suites, Railroad stock converted into useable

revenue. Converted train cars (caboose) into

individual guest rooms. Something similar to

this may be of interest & may be a resource for

future contacts?

2. Formal Dining Car Restaurant, A restored

Dinner Car set on the turntable, slowly rotating

during the course of a catered meal could be a

unique theme for the Hanna Roundhouse.

SAMPLES OF REPURPOSED

RAILROAD STOCK:

Footloose Caboose @ Tofield,

Alberta :

TIMBERS FROM 2012 DEMOLITION OF 1918 ADDITION

MOVED OFF THE 1918 FOUNDATION SPRING 2015

Work done by volunteers of the Hanna Roundhouse Society

Bricks from the original are being kept to use decoratively for the exterior to resemble the original

brickwork. The inside however, could be something completely different working around pillars.

Or, if a business would be interested in setting up a business & building to suit, the Hanna

Roundhouse Society could work with them & this would be another source of revenue to help

develop the site further.

POSSIBILITIES FOR REBUILD OF 1918 SECTION

H A L L O W E E N

OCTOBER 2013

WEDDING PHOTOS

JANAUARY 2014

86’6” TURNTABLE

LEFT: Shot of turntable from roof of roundhouse

ABOVE: An example of locomotive on a turntable.

Local artist’s rendition of restored roundhouseArticle about the Roundhouse requested

for Historic Edition Winter 2011

CTV News Calgary reporter Mr. Green was

setting up his camera for his interviews with

Hanna Roundhouse Society supporters. 2010

Emerson (Red)

Robinson past Hanna

Steam Engineer (left) &

Gerald (Brass) Campion

provide input for CTV

interview & are retired

CN Engineers (2010)

Historic Resources Management Branch, Edmonton, AB. has

been very helpful over the 4 years as this project has developed

providing professional consultation.

Darrel Babuk of Boreas Architecture & Civic Design, provided

assistance regarding CNR & roundhouses in North America &

Europe. The HRS retained Darrel as the architect for the

building assessment performed July 2014 also required for the

historical designation.

Darrel brought forward MacDonald & Lawrence Timber

Framing Ltd. (M & L) & prepared the formal documentation

with assistance from the HRS for Provincial Heritage Resource

application submitted November 2013. www.boreasarchitecture.ca

RESOURCES

January 21, 2014, society members selected M & L to partner

with Boreas Architect & Design & the Hanna Roundhouse

Society for the building assessment

“Macdonald & Lawrence Timber Framing Ltd. (M&L) is a

specialist carpentry company based in the Cowichan Valley on

Vancouver Island. The M & L team works both locally and

internationally to design, build and erect new structural timber

systems, and to conserve historic timber buildings.

“Over the past few years we have been extremely fortunate to

have worked on a number of projects with professional teams

and local groups who have been passionately dedicated to the

conservation of the timber railway heritage of the Canadian

West. We are delighted to now be joining the Hanna

Roundhouse Society and Architect Darrel Babuk in their

efforts to conserve and repair the CNR roundhouse in

Hanna.” from Ben Gourley of Macdonald & Lawrence email

Jan 22, 2014. www.macdonaldandlawrence.ca

Gordon Macdonald of M & L

explaining findings @ Hanna

Roundhouse July 2014.

Repair and restoration will be developed in five phases. The cost for each phase is as follows:

Phase 1 - Stabilization of the Boiler Room & Roundhouse: This will result in the concrete walls and

the original wooden ceiling being restored to their authentic state. This will display in great detail the

character of the building components and be utilized to stabilize the walls and ceiling to prevent

further damage.

Phase 2 – Structural repairs to the Boiler Room: Repair the walls and ceiling to make the building

sound structurally sound.

Phase 3 - Repairs to the Boiler Room Roof Deck: Repair the roof, so that the boiler room can be

used as an interpretive centre.

Phase 4 – Repairs to the Roundhouse Doors: Repair to existing door trim on site. Once restored,

these can be a feature

Phase 5 - Reroof Roundhouse & Repairs to Clearstory: Strip and relay new tarp and gravel roof over

upper and lower roof surface of the Roundhouse and carry out joinery repairs to clearstory level

windows and gallery, so the Roundhouse can be utilized for public functions.

ASSESSMENT RESULTS FOR REPAIRS

L: M&L getting photos of the entire

Roundhouse roof

R: Ben Gourley of M&L checking the

ultrasound of the timbers in the

roundhouse.

WORKSHOPS & EDUCATION

Tim Keating, Western Sky Management Association Inc. specializing in

“rural, business & community development, June 13, 2011

Workshop with Linda & Robin Digby of

past CEO Atlas Coal Mine, photo with

Trisha Sewell of Cactus Corridor. One

was also with the Medalta Museum,

Medicine Hat & with Canadian Badlands.

Cactus Corridor is working on a formal

business plan for us so we can approach

large investors to bring outside funds into

our town & community. Community input gathering in Hanna.

All arranged by Cactus Corridor

Marketing Group & Canadian Badlands

spring 2015

A Heritage Trade School could increase

the skilled heritage craftsmen in this

specialized field & make it easier for

those interested in getting restoration

done be able to get their historical

projects done in a reasonable amount of

time while their interest is still at it's peak.

HERITAGE TRADE SCHOOL

The Roundhouse has numerous wooden windows & 20 unique wooden doors 19 foot x 6 foot wide, & needs concrete repairs, brick repairs & to repair & rebuild a wooden roof for a 3,700 sq. ft. machine shop & 19,000 sq. ft. roundhouse.

Macdonald & Lawrence will be at the roundhouse to work on stabilization November 2015. Creating a partnership with an education institute to offer a certified Heritage Carpentry program could be beneficial to our community. The Hanna Roundhouse Society has historic items which need historic restoration in the windows & doors, & space to set up a workshop at the roundhouse. A specialized skill is passed on by specialized instructors with the volume of heritage items needing repair & restoration. HRS can get a volume of heritage work completed sooner to be able to open our facility sooner. And, others restoring historical buildings may benefit with an increase in the number of qualified heritage tradespeople available.

I am anxious to see HRS bring a specialized program to our community.

Historic locomotive doors of

the 1913 Canadian Northern

Railroad Roundhouse in

Hanna, AB

CONCLUSION

The above photo is from our CN Retiree Railroader Reunion Aug 8, 2015. It includes

some railroaders involved in running the railroad through the prairie provinces &

government dignitaries along with the Hanna Roundhouse Society Board involved in

fighting for this piece of history. What amazing stories we all have as is seen speaking with

the retirees. It was a thrill to see their faces when they were able to share their story! This

has made ALL our hard work so well worth it!

Since our non-profit society was provided with the repayable funds to purchase the

roundhouse property in Sept 2013, the Hanna Roundhouse Society has accomplished a

lot in a short period of time. I look forward to continuing the push to proceed further &

completely revive the roundhouse in our Prairie Town.

Photos: Hanna Archives

from Hanna Herald

portfolio.