Vancouver College’s Hall of Honour, previously called the Emerald Award, is established to recognize and honour those persons, living or deceased, who, through their exemplary performance and achievements, reflect credit on the Vancouver College community and inspire students to reach their full potential.
On July 29th, after five years of litigation regarding Christian Brothers’ assets in Canada (arising from the Mt. Cashel case in Newfoundland), an out-of-court settlement of $13.8 Million is reached.
Following the court settlement, the Vancouver College 2002 Trust is documented and formalized. Vancouver College, including its land and buildings, has been a charitable purpose trust since the parents and friends of the school donated the funds to build it starting in the 1920s. The role of the five Trustees is to ensure the school is operated in a manner consistent with the Trust’s charitable objectives.
In April, the Vancouver College Millennium Foundation is incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia. The sole purpose of the Foundation is to raise funds for the benefit of Vancouver College. The Foundation is initially tasked with raising approximately $16 Million, to fund long postponed maintenance, construction of new facilities, and to retire debt from the 2002 litigation settlement.
In June, the first class of 13-year men graduate.
In September, the Vancouver College community welcomes the school’s first lay Principal, David Hardy, and his predecessor, Anthony Murphy, steps into a new role with the establishment of the President-Principal leadership structure.
Principal: Dave Hardy
President: Br. Anthony Murphy
In early March, a fire breaks out at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Point Grey, causing water and structural damage that leaves hundreds of students without a school. Vancouver College opens its doors and gives an Irish welcome to 400 students who finish the year in makeshift classrooms in the gym, wrestling room, alumni room, and in Cartier Hall.
In July, a group of teachers and 12 students drive to Tijuana, Mexico from Vancouver and spend six days working with local families through a Salesian program called Los Embajadores. Subsequent Faith in Action immersion trips include Peru, the Bronx, Brownsville, New Orleans, Whitehorse, and Alert Bay.
November 2nd marks the Blessing and Dedication of the Holler Family Science Centre, the Dave Hardy Gymnasium (rededicated in 2015 to the Christian Brothers), the High Performance Centre, and the Theatre (dedicated to Irene Manrell in 2022). Archbishop Raymond Roussin officiates the celebration.
On September 26th the new O’Hagan Field, featuring a synthetic track and a multi-purpose, all-weather artificial turf field, is officially re-opened and blessed by Fr. John Horgan, VC’s chaplain from 1998-2010.
Principal: John McFarland
Fighting Irish Crew wins its first of two consecutive Canadian Secondary School Rowing Overall Boys Championships.
A record five Vancouver College alumni represent Canada at the Olympic Games in London, England: Anthony Jacob (VC 2007) - Rowing, Luke Ramsey (VC 2006) - Sailing, Gurdeep Beesla (VC 2008) - Wrestling, Toby Ng (VC 2003) - Badminton, Inaki Gomez (VC 2006) - Track.
President: Dave Hardy
The Board of Directors commissions an engineering analysis which concludes that Mackin and Nichol Halls require seismic upgrading and that Lannon and McCormack Halls need to be replaced.
Principal: Johnny Bevacqua
President: John Nixon (VC 1969)
Following a comprehensive consultation process with VC’s staff to identify learning goals for the school’s next century, in late February an Educational Vision Forum is held for the VC community with presentations from Archbishop J. Michael Miller and Acton Ostry Architects.
In April, parents, alumni, and neighbours are invited for a Redevelopment Design Principles and Thematic Exhibition at the school, where early design plans for the campus redevelopment project are shared with the community for feedback.
The Our Next Century campaign, with a goal of $36 Million to support the construction of two new buildings, is officially launched on October 5th through a campus-wide celebration. The event includes the unveiling of a transformational gift of $5 Million from Tod and Irene Manrell.
In November, a farewell gathering takes place for the Christian Brothers in their residence in celebration and gratitude for their years on campus and generosity with offering their home as the grounds for the new Middle School. The Christian Brothers move into their temporary home in the Saint John Paul II Pastoral Centre in Vancouver.
On February 16th, Vancouver College breaks ground on its new Middle School. Vancouver College’s co-chaplain Fr. Regi Mathew, OFM, blesses the project site, formerly Walsh Residence for 37 years.
At the end of June, alumni are invited to walk though Lannon, McCormack, Makin, and Nichol Halls one last time. These four old buildings are vacated and surrendered to the contractor for demolition at the end of Summer.
The Blessing and Dedication of Manrell Hall by the Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, CSB, Archbishop of Vancouver is held on October 23rd. Manrell Hall, the new Miiddle School, features a highly glazed red brick facade that reinforces the cadence and essence of VC’s historic buildings of the past. The three-storey, 4,350 square metre building includes a skylit entry lobby and atrium, learning commons, dining hall, and classrooms arranged in learning neighbourhoods.
On March 13th, Fr. Juan Lucca (VC 2009), VC’s Chaplain, blesses the construction site of the new Lannon Hall and leads prayers for the success of the new building and safety of all those involved.
From March to June, classes are held virtually due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
March 28th marks the day members of the Peru Faith in Action team are repatriated. The group on immersion was held in Ollantaytambo, just outside Machu Picchu, when the pandemic forced border closures for both in and outbound travel.
At the end of June, a re-imagined Graduation Ceremony is held in front of the main entrance of O’Hagan Field.
Classes resume in September with adjustments due to the ongoing pandemic, including organizing students in learning groups, maintaining physical distance, using desk shields in classrooms, and reducing the number of people on campus by having half of Grade 9 - 12 students attend in-person classes on alternate days only. Co-curricular activities are cancelled throughout the 2020-21 school year and all VCPA and school events are held virtually.
The New Lannon Hall officially opens in September for Elementary School students, the administrative staff, and the Christian Brothers. The Blessing and Re-Dedication of Lannon Hall is held on October 13th, officiated by The Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver.
The two-storey, 3,360-square metre Lannon Hall features the retention of the original 1924 heritage facade and the 1927 McCormack Hall entry archway, iconic connections to the College’s history.
The Blessing of the Blessed Edmund Rice chapel is held on October 19th, celebrated by His Excellency Archbishop Miller and alumni Fr. Pablo Santa Maria (VC 2003) and Fr. Richard Conlin (VC 2006).
Principal: Daryl Weaver
President: Johnny Bevacqua
With the generous support and dedication of families, alumni, staff, and friends, the Our Next Century Campaign reached the $40 Million mark at the end of the 2020-21 school year, bringing renewed focus from the construction of buildings to building young men of compassion, knowledge, integrity, and faith.
Vancouver College gratefully celebrates 100 years of Faith, Service, and Excellence.
