University gymnasiums
- Early gymnasiums
- Fire
- Lingley Hall
Early Gymnasiums
Three gymnasiums were constructed for men attending the University before the end of WWI, although very little is known about the first gymnasium. What is known is that it was built by 1876, and was located 40 or 50 feet from the University. In May 1882, an editorial in The Argosy suggested that the gymnasium could be better equipped, but on 30 January 1883 it burned down. By November 1886, University students were temporarily using the Male Academy gymnasium.
Sometimes referred to as the "Early Gym" and as the first "Old Gym," the second University gymnasium was built behind Centennial Hall, on the corner of York and Salem streets, in 1887. Upon its construction, the gymnasium was hailed by The Argosy (October 1888) as being "one of the best in the provinces." It was equipped with a variety of athletic apparatus, including horizontal and parallel bars, rings, mattresses for tumbling, dumbbells and Indian clubs.
An unidentified writer reflected back on the activity within the gymnasium in an anniversary edition of The Argosy (9 March 1940):
"Here Mount Allison men used to develop great swelling muscles of chest, shoulder, and arm as they practiced various formal gymnastic tricks on parallel high bars or rings. The great achievement was the giant swing."
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