In 1906, construction began on the Calgary Normal School — Alberta’s first training school for teachers. The cornerstone was laid by Premier Alexander Rutherford in June 1907, and the building opened one year later.

It was designed in the “Renaissance Revival” architectural style by the Provincial Architect, A.M. Jeffers, who also designed the Legislature Building in Edmonton. When built, the Normal School was the largest educational building in Alberta, and cost $150,000 — a huge cost in 1908.

Students came to the school from every province in Canada, as well as from the United States and the United Kingdom. Teacher training lasted four months. After that, graduates were expected to be able to manage a class and teach a full range of subjects. In order to help student teachers practice their craft on real students, the Calgary Public School Board opened a school within the Normal School.

In 1922, the Calgary Normal School was moved to the current site of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. The Calgary Public School Board purchased the building for use as a public school and renamed it McDougall School in honour of the pioneer missionaries George and John McDougall.

The Reverend George McDougall established missions at Victoria Settlement, Edmonton and Morley. His son, John McDougall, shared in this mission work, in addition to being the author of several books and assisting with the translation of hymns and the Bible into Plains Cree.

From 1922 to 1981, McDougall School served as a junior high school, then an elementary school. In 1981, with only 54 students and two teachers for grades one through six, the school was closed.

Eventually, the Province of Alberta re-purchased the building and grounds for office, meeting and conference space.

On September 8, 1987, the Honourable W. Helen Hunley, the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, officially opened McDougall Centre — Alberta Government Centre for Southern Alberta.

Booking McDougall Centre

There are a number of meeting rooms in McDougall Centre that are available to non-profit organizations. These include:

Educational programs are also available for school groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and community groups. For room or program booking and information, call 403-297-8687. Outside of the Calgary calling area, dial 310-0000, then the area code and phone number for toll-free access.

McDougall Centre is located at 455 – 6 Street S.W. See map.