In 2017, Providence University College in Otterburne endured a devastating loss when their men’s dormitory, Bergen Hall, was destroyed by fire. On February 10, 2020, they hosted the grand opening of its state-of-the-art replacement, Muriel Taylor Hall.

Many people from southeastern Manitoba gathered to celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, speeches, tours of the building, plus afternoon snacks and coffee. Two MLAs were in attendance, including Andrew Smith (representing Lagimodière in south Winnipeg) and Dennis Smook (representing La Vérendrye). The ceremony ended with a prayer of blessing from the President of Providence College, David Johnson.

While Bergen Hall was used solely as a men’s dorm, this new space is multifunctional. The main floor contains a large open-concept space for students to hang out, a space that includes a stone fireplace, a contemporary kitchen accessible to all, and couches around tables, flatscreen TVs, and a ping pong table. This area is called as The Hub.

Also included on the main floor is a classroom which will bring more students to the new space. Nine different classes have been taught here since the building became fully functional on January 13. Next to this classroom is a room that hosts weekly Friday chapels.

The second and third floors are home to women’s dorm rooms, which at capacity can accommodate up to 60 women. While the rooms themselves are quite small, holding one to two women each, the common areas in the dorm are meant to bring students out to share community life.

Part of the design are floor-to-ceiling windows that allow for plenty of natural light. There are also two apartments on the main floor, one for the resident director and the other for another faculty member. The close proximity between these apartments and the dormitories will allow for stronger integration and connection between staff and students.

While the interior is in full use, the exterior will be finished by the summer.

Twelve months passed from the time they put the first shovel in the ground until students moved in, including one month of lost construction due to bad weather. The contractors, local company Three Way Builders, managed to stick to the timeline even with weather setbacks.

The time taken to plan and design Muriel Taylor Hall accounts for a much longer period of time, and it began immediately following the fire in 2017. The design phase lasted two years, until the team was satisfied with the end result and their vision for the space.

As part of the process, the planners took a trip to see buildings at Baylor University, a Christian school in Waco, Texas, from which to draw inspiration.

The new building cost $7.5 million, which was partially paid for by 1,400 donors.

“We wouldn’t be here without our faithful alumni supporting us,” said Cody Quiring, Vice President of External Relations, at the grand opening.

The new hall was named after the late Biblical Studies professor Muriel D. Taylor, the longest-serving female professor in Providence’s history. She taught for more than 55 years before she passed away in 1972.

Of the 500 students who attend Providence University College each year, 60 percent live in the dorms or student housing, while only 40 percent commute. The international population of Providence remains at roughly 20 percent.

President Johnson welcomes the public, alumni, and anyone interested in attending Providence in the future to come and explore this new space and all it has to offer.