Memories of Kindersley’s McKenzie School

By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com

A part of Kindersley’s history will soon disappear, as tenders have been solicited for the deconstruction of the old McKenzie School on 5th Avenue East. The structure includes a 4,863 square foot area and a 2,744 square foot addition.

Approximately 110 years ago, in 1911, Clare Reid & Co.’s bid of $19,285.00 was accepted to construct the two-storey brick school on a two-acre lot at what is now 112 - 5th Avenue East. An additional bid of $4,183.90 submitted by Knechtel Co. was accepted to supply the heating, and a bell, cast by Watrous Iron Works, was also purchased for the school.

In November of 1911, a contest was held to find a name for the new school, with a prize of $3.00! The winning entry named the school after the new principal, Edith McKenzie.

Additions to the property were added a few years later. Four rooms were added to help accommodate the 200 students who were enrolled. In 1924 an addition was built for a high school. Following the war, the need to board rural students resulted in the addition of a dormitory used for ten years, from 1948 to 1958. The need for a dormitory was also necessary because many small country schools had closed.

The school closed in 1964, but Lorna Dunn from Kindersley has fond memories of attending school there for one year. “My mom and dad moved from the farm and looked after the dormitory,” she said.

Some high school students came from as far away as 300 miles to stay at the dorm. “My mom and dad were the dorm parents all those years. Mom supervised the girls and the kitchen, and dad supervised the boys. It was an old military barracks buildings that were used.” Lorna’s mom was the cook until a cook and assistant were hired, and her dad was in charge of running the boiler.

The students were all expected to help with meals and daily chores, and many lasting friendships resulted from their time at the dormitory and McKenzie School.

McKenzie School in 1927. | PHOTO COURTESY KINDERSLEY & DISTRICT PLAINS MUSEUM

The dormitory was located where the current Elizabeth School playground is now. | PHOTO COURTESY KINDERSLEY & DISTRICT PLAINS MUSEUM