Originally completed in 1967, the Students’ Union Building, or SUB, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! Designed to be that dynamic space on campus that reflects the nature and needs of students, the building has changed substantially over the years. In recognition of the anniversary, we thought we would share some of the building’s history. Here are 10 little-known facts about SUB.
10. CJSR broadcasts from a bank vault
Back before the days of debit cards and ATMs, CIBC had a branch in the lower level and, like any bank, had a large vault to protect all those precious student loan dollars. Later that branch merged and the space was occupied by CJSR, they found the old vault to be very quiet. Who would have thought that a few feet of steel and concrete would sound proof so well you could record in it? Just don't let that door close.
9. Bowling alleys and curling rinks
It wasn’t always meeting rooms in the Lower Level. Like most of the space in SUB, the lower level has changed to keep up with students' needs and wants. Back when bowling and curling was more popular on campus, one only had to come to SUB to practise their strikes or to hurry hard. As time passed, the space changed to a game arcade with pool tables.
8. Art gallery
Before the Gallery in the Fine Arts Building was completed in 1987, student art was exhibited in the SUB Gallery located where the food court is currently. As part of a legacy from the Gallery, the Students’ Union owns a small collection of Art. Most of the pieces are from local or student artists. When the building first opened, the Gallery hosted an exhibition of 42 paintings by the Group of Seven.
7. Not the first SUB
The first building the SU constructed, now know as University Hall, was completed in 1951. Its purpose was to house the SU, its activities and services for the long term, however, it was quickly found to be too small. With the completion of the current SUB, University Hall was handed over to the University Administration who occupied the building with few renovations. In fact, the University President over took the SU President’s former office.
6. Juicy and Cram Dunk
As with all good things, the SU has operated a number of business in SUB that sadly no longer exist. Former students may remember hitting up Juicy for a fruit smoothie, or getting a dozen donuts and a coffee from Cram Dunk. While these businesses are gone, others, like Daily Grind, have opened in response to what students want.
5. Floating doors
Ever been on the second floor by the SU Exec offices and noticed that door with no way of getting to it? It’s not some weird design, it's a byproduct of renovations. That space previously was a studio with access to the roof. During a major renovation, some stairs were moved that made that space inaccessible. The space below was opened up to allow natural light in. The door was left as a result.
4. The courtyard
The SUB living room was not a part of the original design. Instead that space was intended to be a large exterior courtyard with a small pool. Occupants of the lower level quickly discovered that the pool above was a poor decision. Decades later, as part of a major renovation in the late 90s/early 2000s, the courtyard was enclosed and the living room with SUBStage and the fireplace were opened.
3. Second floor cafeteria
Every student looked forward to Friday’s, the SU run cafeteria on the second floor. Located where CAPS and the University Health Clinic is now, Friday’s offered good food at inexpensive prices with views of Main Quad. As student tastes changed, Friday’s closed as part of the Food Court development.
2. Myer Horowitz Theatre
The Myer Horowitz Theatre (called SUB Theatre when the building first opened) is original build, but few know the breadth of functions hosted there. Used by a few groups on campus, the Horowitz has hosted the Mr. Pharmacy pageants, and productions of the Freewill Shakespeare Festival. If you come on the right weekend in June it won't be thespians but bronzed bodybuilders crossing that stage. Dance competitions in the spring draws in hundreds of dancers over many weeks with even more parents and camera-ready relations grabbing coffee and lunch while they wait for the next performance.
1. It makes you money
SUB is run by the Students’ Union and they get a cut. Whether you are buying something from a SU business, such as Daily Grind, L’Express, or SUBMart, or from any other tenant the SU gets a share. The funds raised through rents are used to offset cost of services and programing offered by the SU. Without SUB the SU would be short $7.5 to $8 million in its yearly budget. SUB ends up saving each student more than $250 every year. That’s a lot of pizza!