Thousands of people walk by it every year, but it’s likely many have never noticed a plaque marking a time capsule buried in Grande Prairie Regional College. It was sealed in May 18th, 1992 when the college celebrated its 25th anniversary, and will be opened next month for its 50th.
Carol-Lee Eckhardt helped put the time capsule together, and says it included some memorabilia, as well as personal letters.
“Some people wrote them to themselves, especially the little children. Other people, I don’t know who they wrote to. I wrote one to my daughter; she wrote one to herself; her friends wrote ones to themselves.”
What’s found in the capsule being opened this spring will be on display at an event in May, which will be a chance for people to reflect on the College’s history. VP of External Relations Carmen Haakstad says the theme is “Celebrating Dreams.”
“We think this college, of course, is a fantastic dream that has been realized now for 50 years, and now we’re going on to the next journey.”
On May 27th, spoken work artist Shane Koyczan and film producer Komal Minhas will help people look back on how far the college has come since it opened in 1966. In addition to the items from the time capsule, there will also be an art exhibit from Canadian artist Alex Janvier. Tickets can be bought in person, over the phone at 780-538-0387 or online.
Another time capsule will be sealed in June, and people can make their own submissions online for $50. That will be opened at GPRC’s 75th anniversary in 2042.