The Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre
The Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre as seen from Central Memorial Park.
The Sheldon Chumir Centre site was formally occupied by the Colonel Belcher, a building rich in history that dated back to the 1940’s and beyond.The hospital was originally constructed in 1919 on the former Penny Lane Mall site before relocating a few buildings east before finally setting on 1213, 4 street sw. Although some heritage proponents would have preferred to retain the Colonel Belcher hospital, historical elements have remained and will be highlighted on the site. These will be part of a historic walkway display along the corner of 13 avenue and 4 street which is currently under construction. The historical display will include: The Lapoint Cornerstone, the MacKenzie Cornerstone, The Veteran’s Burns Plaque, The Veteran’s Affairs Plaque, and The Burns’s Family Stone.The Burns home originally occupied the site of the Sheldon M. Chumir Centre, and was constructed between 1900 and 1903 for Patrick Burns and his wife, Eileen. The property boasted a low stone wall with an English country garden. William Reader provided gardening services on the property until he became Calgary’s Superintendent of Parks in 1912. Over the years, the Burns’ entertained members of the royal family, aristocrats, authors and politicians – including Sir Wilfrid Laurier.Senator Patrick Burns was a successful rancher, businessman and philanthropist, and was one of the four ranchers who organized the first Calgary Stampede. He passed away in 1937.The federal government purchased the house and property in 1941. Construction of the hospital, named for Colonel Robert Belcher who was a cavalry officer and charter member of the Northwest Mounted Police, began in the spring of 1942. The Burns mansion was incorporated into the grounds as a convalescent hospital. According to Calgary Public Library’s online cornerstones column, The Honourable Ian Mackenzie, Minister of Pensions and National Health, laid the cornerstone of the new Belcher hospital "in the name of humanity and the men of the armed services." |
Main entrance on 4 Street SW
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