From the News

Dated: December 29, 1915

EXHIBITION BUILDINGS READY FOR TROOPS

The exhibition building is fitted a sleeping quarters for one company of 250 men, with wash room and two shower baths in one end. The mess room and cook house of this company are to be found in the new building built just west of the main building and it is well supplied with ovens and sanitary arrangements.

The second company are quartered in the horse barn both for sleeping quarters and mess room. A wash room and shower bath are to be found at one end while the kitchen with its four large ovens, occupies a large corner. The bunks are arranged in three tiers along the sides while the centre of the building is used as mess room.

The officers quarters, and mess room, etc., is neatly arranged in the horticulture building, while a large guard room is built adjoining this building facing the main gate.

The buildings are wired throughout for electric light, and liberally supplied with large and small size "Station Agent" heaters, and should prove excellent quarters for the boys during their training here.

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This report appeared in the Red Deer News on 05 January 1916, page 1:

COL. NASMYTH OF THE 89TH HERE

Col. Nasmyth,¹ of the 89th Battalion was in the City yesterday together with Major Atkin and other staff officers. They inspected the buildings of the Exhibition Grounds and were well satisfied with all the arrangements for the accommodation of the troops.

The buildings will be heated up today and in all probability "D" Company will arrive from Calgary Thursday or Friday. The local troops will be moved to the Exhibition grounds in all probability as soon as the blankets and other accoutrements necessary for camp life arrive.