Number of Provincial Training School residents in Alberta increases from 293 to 1433

1950 to 1959 . In the summer of 1948, Dr. L.J. leVann became Medical Superinendent of the Provincial Training School, in Red Deer, AB. The school was created for the "feeble-minded", and was a major institution for sterilization under the Sexual Sterilization Act of Alberta. The growth of patient population during the 1950s created the need for massive physical expansion of the facility. Under the guidance of LeVann, three new “Villa” wards were constructed, as was a new dormitory for women. These measures, however, only provided temporary relief as demands for spaces in the school increased. The patient population of the PTS increased from 293 in 1950 to 1,433 in 1959.

Because of this explosion in patient population, a ward for young females, three children’s villas, a new power house and fire hall, an expanded laundry, a new infirmary, a new clinical building, an occupational and vocational building, a training facility, and the Superintendent’s home and a staff residence were built. In addition, an eight room schoolhouse and medical residence were put into operation.

-Sheila Gibbons

  • Carter Park, D. (1995). An Imprisoned Text: Reading the Canadian Mental Handicap Asylum. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). York University, North York, Ontario, Canada.

Number of Provincial Training School residents in Alberta increases from 293 to 1433

1950 to 1959 . In the summer of 1948, Dr. L.J. leVann became Medical Superinendent of the Provincial Training School, in Red Deer, AB. The school was created for the "feeble-minded", and was a major institution for sterilization under the Sexual Sterilization Act of Alberta. The growth of patient population during the 1950s created the need for massive physical expansion of the facility. Under the guidance of LeVann, three new “Villa” wards were constructed, as was a new dormitory for women. These measures, however, only provided temporary relief as demands for spaces in the school increased. The patient population of the PTS increased from 293 in 1950 to 1,433 in 1959.

Because of this explosion in patient population, a ward for young females, three children’s villas, a new power house and fire hall, an expanded laundry, a new infirmary, a new clinical building, an occupational and vocational building, a training facility, and the Superintendent’s home and a staff residence were built. In addition, an eight room schoolhouse and medical residence were put into operation.

-Sheila Gibbons

  • Carter Park, D. (1995). An Imprisoned Text: Reading the Canadian Mental Handicap Asylum. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). York University, North York, Ontario, Canada.