Self-Guided Campus Tour

Providence University College & Seminary has operated on its 100-acre campus in Otterburne, Manitoba since 1970. Explore some of its features in a self-guided campus tour when you next visit.

1. Bell Tower

The most distinctive symbol of Providence, the bell tower atop the Hanna Centre, was part of an early 1930s addition to the three-storey Maison Saint-Joseph. The original building was constructed in 1912 by the Clerics of St. Viateur as an orphanage for boys, and before Providence purchased the campus in 1970, it served as a Catholic boarding school for up to 175 students. The small bell tower in the traffic circle below – that rings each day at 8:30am, noon, and 4:30pm – was built in 2005 under the direction of President Gus Konkel, because for many years the bell would routinely go missing because of student pranks. The replica tower project was headed up by Henry Harms.

2. Gymnasium

The home practice area for our Providence Pilots volleyball, basketball, and futsal teams. Before the original gymnasium was built in the mid 1970s, teams would rent space 10 minutes south of campus at École Héritage Immersion in St. Pierre-Jolys. Since September 2021, the Pilots play all their home games at the Field House of the Niverville Recreation Centre, and the gym is currently used for skills training, practices, sports camps, and special events like graduation. When the Athletics program was started by Dr. Dennis Hiebert in 1975, our teams were known as the “Freemen,” which was updated to the “Pilots” in 2013 while Scott Masterson worked as the Athletics Director.

3. Buller School of Business & Science Wing

This area of the Hanna Centre is home to both the Buller School of Business as well as Providence’s Science Wing. Before its renovation, the space was once used as the school’s cafeteria. The Buller School originally opened its doors in 2016 and is named after two of Manitoba’s entrepreneurial leaders and philanthropists – Herb and Erna Buller. The business program seeks to integrate Christian principles and values into business contexts, with a particular emphasis on ethical practices, corporate responsibility, and servant leadership. The connected Science Wing includes a teaching lab, research lab, a classroom, and office space. Providence’s first Bachelor of Science degree was launched in 2017 under the direction of Dr. Rebecca Dielschneider, allowing students to earn a degree in General Biology, Biology-Psychology, Health Science, and Environmental Science.

4. R. W. Affleck Chapel

The chapel is named in honour of R. Wesley Affleck, who served in various roles over the 33 years that he worked at what’s known today as Providence – including Professor, Assistant Principal, Dean of Faculty, and Acting President. This space was used as the main sanctuary at Maison Saint-Joseph before it was acquired by Winnipeg Bible College in 1970, and the room remained largely unchanged until a significant renovation took place in 1995. It was during that restoration project when a raised platform stage was constructed, the original pews were removed, and a new fire exit was added. Over the years, the chapel has remained the central gathering place and spiritual centre of Providence, where is it used primarily for worship services and seasonal concerts.

5. Disc Golf Course

Established in 2005, this Disc Golf Course with grass tees and basket targets is regularly used by the local community. The first hole is located to the right of the barn at the south-west corner of the campus, and the ninth hole is near the entrance at the north-west corner. Each hole includes two starting tees with different throwing distances to accommodate players of varying skill levels – red for shorter, and blue for longer. The total length of the red course is 1938 feet with a par of 29, and for blue, it’s 3028 feet with a par of 32. Two holes on the course are 500 or more feet in length – i.e. number 6 and 8 – and the fifth hole features a 10-foot-wide pipeline down two rows of trees.

6. River Trail

Rededicated in 2025 as the “River Trail” – or “Sentier Riverain” in French – this path has been known over the years as both the “Bridle Trail” (i.e. a route cut through the woods for horses), or tongue in cheek as the “Bridal Trail” (i.e. in the romantic sense). Regardless, it is situated along the Rat River – a tributary of the Red River – and is frequented by Providence students, employees, local residents, and those walking the Crow Wing Trail that passes through campus (which is the longest section of the Trans Canada Trail in Manitoba). From the entrance gate – with its Manitoba maple sign designed and crafted by Bob Poirier – a 3-minute walk leads hikers west along a level pathway that ends at a bend in the Rat River where there is a small section of rapids.

7. Barn

The barn on campus was inherited when Providence acquired the Otterburne campus in 1970, though it was originally positioned north-south (as opposed to its current east-west placement). At the former Maison Saint-Joseph, there was a working farm with chickens, other livestock and an orchard on this 100-acre property, and this barn was used primarily to store equipment. In 2011 while Gus Konkel was President, to accommodate a new biomass system for heating and hot water, the barn was reconfigured to be further away from other buildings on campus (as a fire prevention measure). The barn continues to house the biomass generator and also functions as storage for campus maintenance.

8. Henry Schellenberg Memorial Garden

In memory of Dr. Henry Schellenberg, this courtyard garden was named after one of Providence’s longstanding faculty members, who taught music here in Otterburne for thirty years (i.e. from 1983 to 2013). His primary teaching focus at the school was choral and church music, liturgy, conducting, voice, and music history. Dr. Schellenberg is remembered for his warm baritone voice and lively conducting of choirs that performed on campus, in area churches, at music festivals, and on tours of North America and the United Kingdom. The mural of Dr. Schellenberg at the south side of the veranda was painted by Claudia Castro in 2022, and Gary Schellenberg is responsible for the memorial garden’s design and groundskeeping.

9. Muriel Taylor Hall

In June 2017, Providence lost Bergen Hall to fire (which had acted as its main dormitory for men since September 1985). Bergen Hall itself was named after Martin Bergen – a Ukrainian immigrant, high-rise developer and philanthropist who was responsible for building multiple apartment complexes in Winnipeg between 1962 to 1988 (including Fort Garry Place). After Bergen Hall’s unfortunate destruction, Muriel Taylor Hall was constructed in its place – named after one of Providence’s very first professors (when it was called Winnipeg Bible Training School). Since 2020, the “MTH” has functioned as Providence’s primary women’s residence, and also features a large common area called “The Hub,” a classroom, study room, chapel, and office space.

10. Reimer Student Life Centre

Informally known as the “SLC,” the Student Life Centre includes a cafeteria, a lounge, and various multipurpose rooms. The facility officially opened its doors to students in January 2009 with a ceremony that included music from Steve Bell. The 23,000 square foot building was constructed during the tenure of President Gus Konkel, and is named after Gerald Reimer, who served on the Board of Governors at Providence for over 20 years (including as Chair of the Board between 1973 to 1980). The SLC is one of the most active locations on campus – welcoming not only students, faculty and staff throughout each academic year, but also hosting visitors at fundraising banquets like the Harvest Festival and open house events such as Preview Prov.

11. Loewen Learning Resource Centre

A project of Providence’s “Pursuit of Excellence” fundraising campaign (1997-2000), which was officially opened during the school’s 75th anniversary while Larry McKinney served as President. The original and enduring purpose of this 20,000 square foot area on campus is to provide technology, resources, and educational materials to effectively assist faculty to teach and students to learn. The Loewen Learning Resource Centre is home to the William Falk Library and the DeFehr Study Wing. Before its relocation here, the library itself could be found on the west side of campus in Providence’s Welcome Centre.

12. Soccer Pitch

Home of the Providence Pilots women’s and men’s soccer teams, the Soccer Pitch is situated on the north side of the highway on five acres of land. The two fields were graded by the Rural Municipality of De Salaberry and feature lush green grass, in-ground steel goal posts, and lined with white markings to define the boundaries. Surrounded by the natural beauty of our rural campus, these fields provide a picturesque setting for players and spectators alike. Whether it’s a friendly pickup match, an engaging practice, or a competitive event, the Soccer Pitch is the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful game of soccer (or “football” as it’s called by the majority of people worldwide).