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Fortifying Trinity

OUR PRECIOUS COLLEGE

Preserving Trinity’s Distinctive Architecture and Heritage - $1 million
 
 

Trinity’s buildings and grounds evoke the ambience of some of England’s oldest universities:  Oxford, Cambridge and other venerable institutions that have served the world for centuries come to mind when you walk through Trinity’s halls or relax in its quadrangle.

The age and style of Trinity’s buildings present special challenges for upkeep and maintenance. In several areas, exteriors have deteriorated and require immediate repair, public spaces must be renovated and restored, and interiors must be retrofitted to accommodate new communications technologies and modern standards of safety, accessibility and comfort. It has been difficult for Trinity to keep up with this work, particularly in view of recent dramatic budget reductions. In many cases, maintenance has simply been deferred.

Some of these projects, however, cannot wait any longer. This is why we have decided to raise a total of $1 million as part of this campaign, in order to cover the cost of key capital improvements. We believe that by making these priority investments at this time, we will be able to preserve Trinity’s character and heritage most appropriately.

The three priority areas are;

  • Strachan Hall,
  • the Chapel Organ,
  • and the maintenance of Trinity’s grounds.

Renewing Strachan Hall

The venerable Strachan Hall is one of the College’s most heavily used spaces, and with its stained glass, extensive panelling and lofty ceiling, one of its most impressive. For graduates, Strachan Hall is where they dined each day, attended important public events and participated in graduation ceremonies. Many of their fondest university memories are attached to this special Trinity place.

However, Strachan Hall, which was built in 1941, is showing the strains of age. Its beautiful woodwork needs to be reconditioned, and its floors and tables refinished. The lights need refitting, and the rafters must be cleaned. We would also like to install air conditioning, as this impressive space can get uncomfortably warm during events such as Convocation. By investing $500,000, we will be able to return the College’s premier public hall to its past beauty.

Restoring the Great Chapel Organ

Consecrated in 1955, the Trinity College Chapel is the last and greatest work of famed British architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Today, it is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture on the continent. 

Although now a part of a more secular Trinity, the Chapel is still a fully functioning Anglican chapel with a full-time chaplain and daily services for those who wish to worship. Its acoustics are unique on the U of T campus. It is a magnificent medium for the human voice and a wonderful home for music at the college, particularly the Trinity College Chapel Choir.

The Great Organ is at the very heart of the Chapel. Installed in 1954, the two-manual Casavant was designed in consultation with such eminent musicians of the day as Dr. Healey Willan and Sir Ernest MacMillan. Its maker, Casavant Frères of Sainte Hyacinthe, Quebec, has since become one of the leading organ builders in North America.

More than 50 years later, the Great Organ – now valued at close to $500,000 – continues to perform its many important duties, despite the fact that it has received very little attention since its original installation. We cannot defer this maintenance any longer. Organs require care, cleaning and adjustments to keep them performing at their best. For example, the organ is frequently out of tune due to dirt and metal fatigue, and its 1,500 pipes need cleaning. It needs new leathers, and the worn console needs to be replaced with a new solid-state console with combination action.

To restore the Great Organ and “revoice” it to give it the full, warm, romantic sound reminiscent of the great 19th-century English Cathedral tradition will cost $250,000. We plan to raise these funds as an investment in Trinity’s growing and well-respected music-making tradition.

Beautifying Trinity’s Grounds

To complement its marvellous Gothic buildings, Trinity has chosen bold but simple landscaping. The result is a remarkable setting, which provides a haven and a place for reflection for our students and faculty.

However, Trinity’s grounds and landscaping have fallen into disrepair. Good landscaping requires more than a creative idea and an initial investment in planting. It demands constant, long-term commitment to good maintenance and a considered program of renewal and regeneration, which is difficult in times of fiscal restraint. To beautify Trinity’s grounds and ensure they will remain beautiful and well maintained for future generations, we will create an endowment of $250,000.