Michener Centre struck by lightning

June 18, 2003. In June of 2003, the South Administration building of the Michener Centre (previously the Provincial Training School, which housed mentally disabled children and adults and was a major institution for sterilization under the Sexual Sterilization of Alberta) in Red Deer, Alberta was struck by lightning. This caused Michener’s most serious fire. Fire fighters responded immediately, but it took nearly 11 hours to completely extinguish the fire.

This fire damaged nearly 20 per cent of the building, and caused debates over the future of the 90 year old facility. In November of 2005, it was announced that the building would be restored and become an administrative complex for the David Thompson Health Authority. Construction began on the project in 2007.

-Sheila Gibbons

  • Dawe, M. (2007, June 11). Michener Building Began as College. Red Deer Advocate.

  • Tester, L. (2008, July 18). End of an Era. Red Deer Advocate.

Michener Centre struck by lightning

June 18, 2003. In June of 2003, the South Administration building of the Michener Centre (previously the Provincial Training School, which housed mentally disabled children and adults and was a major institution for sterilization under the Sexual Sterilization of Alberta) in Red Deer, Alberta was struck by lightning. This caused Michener’s most serious fire. Fire fighters responded immediately, but it took nearly 11 hours to completely extinguish the fire.

This fire damaged nearly 20 per cent of the building, and caused debates over the future of the 90 year old facility. In November of 2005, it was announced that the building would be restored and become an administrative complex for the David Thompson Health Authority. Construction began on the project in 2007.

-Sheila Gibbons

  • Dawe, M. (2007, June 11). Michener Building Began as College. Red Deer Advocate.

  • Tester, L. (2008, July 18). End of an Era. Red Deer Advocate.