Drafting students at L.V. Rogers are taking on a project that will challenge their skills and enrich their class with a little bit of history.
After the 1935 blueprints to the Civic Centre were recently unearthed, LVR drafting teacher Lance Peters was approached to create 3D renderings of the historic building with his class.
The senior drafting class toured the multi-level building to get a grasp before beginning the project.
Through recreating the building in AutoCAD, a computer drafting program, the students will create a piece to eventually be incorporated into a museum display inside the centre.
“They’re really enjoying it,” said Peters about his students. “They’re doing really well with it and they’re doing a great job.”
Currently, the students are about halfway to completing their 3D virtual Civic Centre models.
Peters said this kind of project involves his students with the community.
“A huge part of what I like doing as a teacher is getting involved in the community… The senior drafting class really seems to be taking a sense of ownership with this project. This is our building, it’s our history and I think that’s just great,” he said.
The idea for the project came from Bill McDonnell, a longtime Nelson resident.
“I’ve always wanted to have a model of the Civic Centre, so when I found a copy of the original blueprints I went to the high school to see if they would be interested in taking this on,” said McDonnell.
“I’m overjoyed with it… to see the enthusiasm of the kids taking on a project of something that in my mind is a landmark in the community… it’s something I’ve wanted to do since we came up with the concept of the museum component.”
When completed, the 3D renderings will be able to offer viewers a virtual tour of the Civic Centre.
“As far as using the program and designing, it’s a fantastic challenge for the students,” said Peters, adding that this project also helps the students connect with the community and history.
“We get them to do house plans, but nothing even remotely this complex has crossed their plates before so it’s a great challenge and a great learning tool.”
The blueprints contain some differences from the complex that was eventually built — including a swimming pool.