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Digney Film 3 - Construction and opening of Digney bowling Alley, visit to Stanley Park and summer vacations
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10678
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1955 and 1979] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (20 min., 30 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a film compliation of short clips created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film compilation documents the construction, opening and a tournament of the Digney Bowling Alley located at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby along with Digney family outings at Stanley Park in V…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (20 min., 30 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a film compliation of short clips created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film compilation documents the construction, opening and a tournament of the Digney Bowling Alley located at 6521 Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby along with Digney family outings at Stanley Park in Vancouver and vacations at Birch Bay, Washington State and Okanagan Lake.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Names
- Digney, Andy
- Swan, Sydney
- Digney Bowling Alley
- Digney, Drew
- Digney, Joyce
- Digney, Bruce
- Digney, Paul
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Street Address
- 6521 Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.5
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1955 and 1979] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film compilation
- 4 film segments from this compilation are described at item level and available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby.
- Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view entire content
Digney film 1 - Outdoor Christmas display
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10592
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1963] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (25 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film clip of an outdoor Christmas display with a mechanical Santa, his sleigh and two reindeer with "Merry Xmas Happy New Year" in behind. Reindeer part of the display rotates on a motor. This could be in Burnaby outside of the Digney's home on Kaymar Drive. The wooden display was created by Andy D…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (25 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film clip of an outdoor Christmas display with a mechanical Santa, his sleigh and two reindeer with "Merry Xmas Happy New Year" in behind. Reindeer part of the display rotates on a motor. This could be in Burnaby outside of the Digney's home on Kaymar Drive. The wooden display was created by Andy Digney.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Subjects
- Holidays - Christmas
- Names
- Digney, Andy
- Geographic Access
- Kaymar Drive
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.3.1
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1963] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film segment
- Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film (See BV019.18.3)
Images
Video
Digney film 1 - Outdoor Christmas display, [between 1954 and 1963] (date of original), copied 2019
Digney film 1 - Outdoor Christmas display, [between 1954 and 1963] (date of original), copied 2019
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_BVM_Moving_Images/2019_0018_0003_001.mp4Digney film 1 - Digney family in Burnaby, Okanagan, Vancouver, Victoria, California and Seattle
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10593
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1965] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (23 min., 34 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film footage is a compilation of twenty eight short segments taken at different times in various locations. The film footage documents family events, gatherings and vacations. The film opens with an outd…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (23 min., 34 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film footage is a compilation of twenty eight short segments taken at different times in various locations. The film footage documents family events, gatherings and vacations. The film opens with an outdoor Christmas display and is followed by several other film segments taking place in Burnaby at 7749 Kaymur Drive; 6521 Bonsor Street and Brentwood Mall as well as Okanagon Lake Resort; California; Seattle; Vancouver and Victoria.
- Subjects
- Holidays - Christmas
- Names
- Digney, Andy
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.3
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1965] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Digitized film is a copy from original 8 mm film
- 12 film segments from this compilation with Burnaby content are described at item level and available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby
- Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view entire content
Digney Family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10597
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 6 video recordings (mp4) (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of compilation of six films (including film clips) created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film content includes footage of members of the Digney family and friends in Burnaby; the Digney homes on Bonsor Avenue and Kaymar Drive; construction of the Digney Bowling Alle…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 6 video recordings (mp4) (approx. 3hr., 18 min.) : digital, 23 fps
- Material Details
- Films were digitized in 2019 from original 8 mm format
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of compilation of six films (including film clips) created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. Film content includes footage of members of the Digney family and friends in Burnaby; the Digney homes on Bonsor Avenue and Kaymar Drive; construction of the Digney Bowling Alley and the Simpsons-Sears building; Lawn bowling at Central Park as well as various family events, gatherings, vacations and trips.
- History
- Andy Digney was born in London, England on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles and in 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore Saskatchewan and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty Saskatchewan where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry Manitoba where Andy worked selling lightening rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife, traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns showing movies. Eventually, he purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba where he purchased a restaurant which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1936 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945 he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a house at 2698 Bonsor Avenue (after 1959-6521 Bonsor Ave.) on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association, who were looking for a good location to race the smaller, racing cars, popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948 with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of midget racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951 Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over forty cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Ernest Digney (also known as Dig) worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce returned to Burnaby in 1953 moving into a 550 square foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954 Simpsons-Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19,1955 and Andy Digney, his wife Alice, son 'Dig' and daughter in law Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the Bowling Alley. In 1956 Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son 'Dig' which he paid for over time. 'Dig' and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in England in 1964 while on his world tour. His wife Alice died on June 3, 1982 and their son, Ernest ('Dig') died November 27, 2009.
- Accession Code
- BV019.18
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1964] (date of originals), copied in 2016 and 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Related Material
- See also City of Burnaby Archives Digney Family fonds Photo/MI catalogue 562
- Arrangement
- Films are arranged and described at item level along with film clip segments. Master film footage numbered BV019.18.3 through BV019.18.8 were described in original order at item level. Digitized film content within the master film footage was also broken down into shorter film clips according to natural breaks within the original content and described separately as film clips (accession parts) in their original order: BV019.8.3.1 to BV019.8.3.28; BV019.8.4.1 to BV019.8.4.16; BV019.18.5.1 to BV019.8.5.7; BV019.18.6.1 to BV019.18.6.8; BV019.18.7.1 to BV019.18.7.15; BV019.18.8.1 to BV019.18.8.20
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
Digney film 2 - Family in Burnaby, Construction of Simpsons-Sears building and wedding
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10598
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (26 min., 51 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film compilation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film opens with scenes of different dogs playing outside; exterior of Andy and Alice Digney’s house on Kaymar Drive; interior of the Digney bowling alley with pins being reset; interior of Andy Digney’s greenhouse at his h…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (26 min., 51 sec.) : digital, 16 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Film compilation created by Andy Digney and his son Ernest "Dig" Digney. The film opens with scenes of different dogs playing outside; exterior of Andy and Alice Digney’s house on Kaymar Drive; interior of the Digney bowling alley with pins being reset; interior of Andy Digney’s greenhouse at his house on Kaymar Drive; construction of the Simpsons-Sears building in 1954 behind the Digney home at 3698 Bonsor Street; unidentified outdoor wedding attended by the Digney's and Swans; Campbell family gathering in Victoria; gathering of friends and family inside Alice and Andy Digney’s home on Kaymar Drive before they leave for their World tour in 1964.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Kaymar Drive
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.4
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1954 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Digney, Ernest Frank "Dig"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Digitized film is a copy from original 8 mm film
- 9 film clips from this compilation are described at item level and available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby
- Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view entire content
Digney film 6 - Digney family travels
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription10675
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- [between 1950 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (35 min., 8 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney. The film footage is a compilation of short segments taken at different times in various locations. The film footage documents the Digney family travels to Arizona, San Diego and Andy's travels during his world tour including the United Kin…
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- File
- Physical Description
- 1 video recording (mp4) (35 min., 8 sec.) : digital, 23 fps, col., si.
- Material Details
- Film segments in colour and black and white
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a film compliation created by Andy Digney. The film footage is a compilation of short segments taken at different times in various locations. The film footage documents the Digney family travels to Arizona, San Diego and Andy's travels during his world tour including the United Kingdom.
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Accession Code
- BV019.18.8
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Date
- [between 1950 and 1964] (date of original), copied 2019
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film compilation
- Film segment originates from digitized version of original 8 mm film
- Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view content
Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18761
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1950-1992
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 film reels + 20 videcassettes + 1 avi video file + 17 video recordings (mp4)
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of videos and films collected by Burnaby Village Museum from various sources. Items in this collection pertain to specific film projects about Burnaby or document people and historic events related to the history of Burnaby. Collection is arranged into the following series: 1) …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 3 film reels + 20 videcassettes + 1 avi video file + 17 video recordings (mp4)
- Scope and Content
- Collection consists of videos and films collected by Burnaby Village Museum from various sources. Items in this collection pertain to specific film projects about Burnaby or document people and historic events related to the history of Burnaby. Collection is arranged into the following series: 1) Burnaby historical reference collection series 2) Elders Digital Storytelling project series
- Accession Code
- HV971.30
- BV005.8
- BV005.48
- BV012.37
- BV014.39
- BV016.37
- BV017.11
- BV020.5
- Date
- 1950-1992
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Some items in this collection have copyright restrictions and are not available for viewing on Heritage Burnaby. Contact Burnaby Village Museum to view content.
- Further accruals expected
Burnaby historical reference collection series
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumdescription18928
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Date
- 1950-1992, predominant 1950-1973
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Series
- Physical Description
- 3 film reels + 20 videocassettes + 1 avi
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of a reference collection of films relating to the history of Burnaby. Films include CBUT News footage "Burnaby Mountain Sod Turning"; a documentary film "Cabin" about the building of a log cabin at Burnaby Village Museum; a documentary film "A Friend at the Door" about the work of …
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection/Fonds
- Burnaby Village Museum Film and Video collection
- Description Level
- Series
- Physical Description
- 3 film reels + 20 videocassettes + 1 avi
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of a reference collection of films relating to the history of Burnaby. Films include CBUT News footage "Burnaby Mountain Sod Turning"; a documentary film "Cabin" about the building of a log cabin at Burnaby Village Museum; a documentary film "A Friend at the Door" about the work of rural social workers in British Columbia; historical film footage from B.C. Transit Centennial of the B.C. Electric Lower Mainland trams and home movie footage created by the Handel family.
- Accession Code
- HV971.30
- BV005.8
- BV005.48
- BV012.37
- BV014.39
- BV016.37
- BV017.11
- BV020.5
- Date
- 1950-1992, predominant 1950-1973
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Notes
- Title based on contents of series
Paul Digney and family
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85250
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1948 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 21 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 13. Film provides footage of Paul Digney as a young child as he interacts with family members and pet dogs at the Digney family home on Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby. The film contains views of the Digney family home, yard and neighborhoo…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1948 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 21 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-003-13
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 13. Film provides footage of Paul Digney as a young child as he interacts with family members and pet dogs at the Digney family home on Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby. The film contains views of the Digney family home, yard and neighborhood in summer and winter time. Some of the footage shows some wear.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
Video
Paul Digney and family, [between 1948 and 1949]
Paul Digney and family, [between 1948 and 1949]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-13.m4vBuilding and opening the Digney Speedway
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85334
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1948 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 47sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 16. The film footage shows land being cleared to make way for the Digney Speedway located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue, one of the men seen in this footage clearing the land is named Lucky Fordham. The film continue…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1948 and 1949]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 47sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-003-16
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 16. The film footage shows land being cleared to make way for the Digney Speedway located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue, one of the men seen in this footage clearing the land is named Lucky Fordham. The film continues with footage of a press dinner in the garden of Andy Digney's home on Bonsor Avenue in Burnaby and is followed with footage of the Digney Speedway in operation for the grand opening on July 8, 1948. Midget cars and jalopies (stock cars) can be seen racing on the speedway. Some of the footage of the raceway pit and races switches to black and white.The film closes with colour footage of a truck moving Lucky Fordham's house from Bonsor Ave to the speedway.
- Subjects
- Sports - Automobile Racing
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Alta-Vista (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Clinton-Glenwood Area
- Maywood Area
Images
Video
Building and opening the Digney Speedway, [between 1948 and 1949]
Building and opening the Digney Speedway, [between 1948 and 1949]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-16.m4vDinner for Miss Creeden
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/museumlibrary7356
- Repository
- Burnaby Village Museum
- Collection
- Reference Collection
- Material Type
- Moving Images
- Call Number
- 388.46 BCH
- Contributor
- British Columbia Electric Company
- Place of Publication
- [British Columbia, Canada]
- Publisher
- BC Hydro
- Publication Date
- 1947
- Physical Description
- 1 videodisc (36 min.) : sd., col ; 4 3/4 in.
- Library Subject (LOC)
- Natural gas industry
- World War, 1914-1918--Mobilization
- World War, 1939-1945--Mobilization
- Street-railroads
- Electric railroads
- Transportation
- British Columbia--History
- Notes
- Summary: Industrial film. A film about the growth of B.C. Electric from 1906 to 1946, built around the story of stenographer Flossie Creeden, the first female office employee of the company. Footage includes: Goldstream power plant; Vancouver natural gas facilities; BC Electric Railway lines in Fraser Valley; Stave Falls generator plant; Alouette Lake and Ruskin plants; 1939 royal visit; BCE employee's newsletter; A.E. Grauer family at home; office scenes; plans & construction at Bridge River project; BCE employee's service in World Wars I & II; BCE streetcar and trolley bus services
- Credit notes: producer: Lew M. Parry; director: Lew M. Parry; photography: John Young; script: Cecil Maiden; sound: S.G. Wilson; narrator: A.E. Grauer; sponsored/presented by: British Columbia Electric Company; producing agency/company: Trans-Canada Films Ltd.
Investment in Youth
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85187
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1946
- Collection/Fonds
- Norm Henderson collection
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film reel [19 min, 37 sec] : kodak kodachrome, col., sd.; 16mm
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a motion picture film entitled 'Investment in Youth'. The film was created between October 1945 and March 15, 1946 and had its first public screening in April of 1946 at the North Burnaby High School with The Deputy Minister of Education of British Columbia, Dr. F.T. Fairey in atte…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1946
- Collection/Fonds
- Norm Henderson collection
- Physical Description
- 1 film reel [19 min, 37 sec] : kodak kodachrome, col., sd.; 16mm
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 565-001
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- No known restrictions
- Accession Number
- 2013-33
- Scope and Content
- Item consists of a motion picture film entitled 'Investment in Youth'. The film was created between October 1945 and March 15, 1946 and had its first public screening in April of 1946 at the North Burnaby High School with The Deputy Minister of Education of British Columbia, Dr. F.T. Fairey in attendance. It was produced for the Burnaby School Board as one method of demonstrating the importance of education as well as pointing out the need for school improvements. The depression of the 1930s left Burnaby in a difficult position with limited school construction and during World War II there were little resources for maintenance. Ken West was the producer and amateur cinematographer while Vancouver teacher, Roth Gordon assisted with the cinematography as well as providing technical assistance. The script was written by Norman D. MacDonald, who was the principal of Burnaby South High School while Inspector of Burnaby Schools, Cliff G. Brown, provided the overall supervision and idea for the production. Norm Henderson worked as a student assistant during the filming and assisted with much of the sound work. The speed of the film was ASA 2 ( artifical lighting) to 4 (natural lighting). As a result many of the sets had to have outside lighting. A 16 mm Bolex camera was used to film the entire production with sound being added later.
- History
- Norm Henderson came from Saskatchewan to Burnaby with his parents in December of 1940 to visit his grandmothers. Norm and his parents stayed on and bought the Old Orchard Auto Park on the corner of Kingsway and Willingdon Avenue, which they ran until 1944. Norm attended Burnaby South High School from 1941 to 1947, during which time he was involved in the production of the Burnaby School Board film; “Investment in Youth." In 1945 Norm got a part time job at Woodward’s Department Store in Vancouver where he worked until he went into teacher training at Vancouver Normal School in the early nineteen-fifties. Kathleen MacFarlane (later Henderson) was born in 1929 and grew up in Vancouver. Kathleen also went through teacher training at Vancouver Normal School. Norm Henderson and Kathleen MacFarlane were married in 1953 and moved to a small suite located at Patterson Avenue and Kingsway in Burnaby. Norm taught at Gilmore Avenue School and Kathleen taught at Nelson Avenue Elementary School. Norm was a member of West Burnaby United Church from 1941 until he and Kathleen moved to Richmond in 1959.
- Subjects
- Buildings - Schools
- Persons - Children
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Gordon, Roth
- West, Ken
- Responsibility
- Burnaby School Board
- Notes
- Transcribed title
Images
Video
Investment in Youth, 1946
Investment in Youth, 1946
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/565-001.m4vDigney family at Bonsor Avenue and family outings
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85309
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1946 and 1947]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (13 min., 10 sec.) : digital,col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 15. Film footage opens with Andy and Alice Digney in the yard of the Digney family home on Bonsor Avenue and their son Ernest Frank (Dig) and his wife Dorothy (Dot) with thier infant son Paul at age 6 months and later as a toddler wi…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1946 and 1947]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (13 min., 10 sec.) : digital,col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-003-15
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 15. Film footage opens with Andy and Alice Digney in the yard of the Digney family home on Bonsor Avenue and their son Ernest Frank (Dig) and his wife Dorothy (Dot) with thier infant son Paul at age 6 months and later as a toddler with a variety of family members. Footage also includes a view of Prince George, family members with Elephants and ponies from the Bible Brothers Circus, the Crystal Pool and Butchart Gardens in Victoria. The film closes with Paul, grandpa Dig and the family dog, Nero back in the yard of their home on Bonsor Avenue.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
Video
Digney family at Bonsor Avenue and family outings, [between 1946 and 1947]
Digney family at Bonsor Avenue and family outings, [between 1946 and 1947]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-15.m4vNorm Henderson collection
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85186
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1945-1946
- Collection/Fonds
- Norm Henderson collection
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film reel [19 min, 37 sec] : kodak kodachrome, col., sd.; 16mm
- Scope and Content
- Fonds comprises one film entitled "Investment in Youth." The film was produced for the Burnaby School Board and Norm Henderson participated as a student assistant and was present for all of the filming and much of the sound work.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1945-1946
- Collection/Fonds
- Norm Henderson collection
- Physical Description
- 1 film reel [19 min, 37 sec] : kodak kodachrome, col., sd.; 16mm
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2013-33
- Scope and Content
- Fonds comprises one film entitled "Investment in Youth." The film was produced for the Burnaby School Board and Norm Henderson participated as a student assistant and was present for all of the filming and much of the sound work.
- History
- Norm Henderson came from Saskatchewan to Burnaby with his parents in December of 1940 to visit his grandmothers. Norm and his parents stayed on and bought the Old Orchard Auto Park on the corner of Kingsway and Willingdon Avenue, which they ran until 1944. Norm attended Burnaby South High School from 1941 to 1947, during which time he was involved in the production of the Burnaby School Board film, “Investment in Youth." In 1945, Norm got a part-time job at Woodward’s Department Store in Vancouver where he worked until he went into teacher training at Vancouver Normal School in the early 1950s. Kathleen MacFarlane (later Henderson) was born in 1929 and grew up in Vancouver. Kathleen also went through teacher training at Vancouver Normal School. Norm and Kathleen (MacFarlane) Henderson were married in 1953 and moved to a small suite at Patterson Avenue and Kingsway. Norm was a teacher at Gilmore Avenue School and Kathleen taught at Nelson Avenue Elementary School. Norm was a member of West Burnaby United Church from 1941 until he and Kathleen moved to Richmond in 1959.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Creator
- Henderson, Norman "Norm"
- Notes
- Title based on contents of collection.
- Photo/MI catalogue 565
Digney family and the Oak Theatre gardens
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85251
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1940 and 1944]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 12 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 14. The film opens in with the Digney family in their yard and garden and Grandma Swan's funeral (Royal Oak Cemetery). The remainder of the footage provides views of the gardens surrounding the Oak Theatre and includes footage of a wedding,…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1940 and 1944]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (10 min., 12 sec.) : digital, b&w, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-003-14
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent film segment identified as Reel 14. The film opens in with the Digney family in their yard and garden and Grandma Swan's funeral (Royal Oak Cemetery). The remainder of the footage provides views of the gardens surrounding the Oak Theatre and includes footage of a wedding, family pets at play, men and women playing badminton, views of both the interior and exterior of the Oak Theatre including female ushers. The film then moves on to a War Bond Drive and parade along Kingsway followed by more views of the Oak Theatre gardens.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Marlborough Area
Images
Video
Digney family and the Oak Theatre gardens, [between 1940 and 1944]
Digney family and the Oak Theatre gardens, [between 1940 and 1944]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-14.m4vPlanning Department fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription102
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1940-2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Planning Department fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 80 m of textual records and other material
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of those records created during the regular conduct of business by the Planning Department and its predecessor agencies according to their mandate of providing professional and technical advice to Council on the current and future uses of City land and resources.
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1940-2016
- Collection/Fonds
- Planning Department fonds
- Physical Description
- 80 m of textual records and other material
- Description Level
- Fonds
- File Class
- 71000 10 (add. 2020)
- 71000 20 (add. 2020)
- 71000 30 (add. 2020)
- 71000 40 (add. 2020)
- Access Restriction
- Subject to FOIPPA
- Reproduction Restriction
- Reproductions subject to FOIPPA.
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of those records created during the regular conduct of business by the Planning Department and its predecessor agencies according to their mandate of providing professional and technical advice to Council on the current and future uses of City land and resources.
- History
- The City of Burnaby Planning Department was established on October 9, 1956, when the City Council unanimously carried the motion to create a distinct department to deal with planning issues within the City and appointed Mr. William John Blakely as its head. This decision followed a report and recommendation made by the City’s Chief Administrative Officer which indicated that the role of the Planning Engineer and his staff had quickly expanded to become a separate division within the Engineering Department and that they were functioning as an independent unit in all but name. The proposed separation of the Engineering and Planning departments had been in the works since the early part of 1956 when staff changes and restructuring within the Engineering Department’s Planning Division illustrated the undermanned condition of the Planning Engineer’s office. As a result, Council asked the Chief Administrative Officer to undertake a study examining the feasibility of creating a distinct Planning Department. This report was delivered to Council on July 3, 1956, but was laid over until a Committee of the Council had the opportunity to study the functions of the Planning department to determine the necessity of the proposal. The Committee’s findings were in line with the initial report and the Planning Department was established with a staff of nine (the head Planning Engineer, an Administrative Planner, three Research Planning Assistants, a Draughtsman, a Subdivision Control Clerk, a department Clerk and a Clerk Stenographer). This new department was to offer advice and carry out the work intensive in matters such as zoning and rezoning applications, subdivision control, traffic and transportation planning, and general City planning schemes. Prior to the creation of the Planning Department, a number of bodies within the City had been responsible for fulfilling the functions carried out by this new unit. In the earliest years of the City, the members of Council were responsible for matters of planning and were assisted in their job by the City’s Engineer or any number of hired consultants (e.g. surveyors, cartographers). By 1906, however, the provincial laws surrounding the subdivision process had changed, and local governments were charged with the task of approving all private subdivision plans in their respective Municipalities. In Burnaby, the City Council passed a bylaw decreeing that all subdivision plans were to be submitted to Council for review and the City Engineer was responsible for ensuring compliance with the law. After the first Town Planning Bylaw in 1924 which restricted the type and size of construction that could occur in certain City areas, the Engineering and Building departments were to work together to oversee the enforcement of the Bylaw and the development of City plans. The scope and competence required to carry out this work grew as Burnaby’s population expanded, and in 1930 Council passed the Town Planning Commission Bylaw (No. 1028) that saw the creation of a permanent body – the Town Planning Commission – which was to serve as an advisory body to help direct the planning activities in the City while the actual work continued to be carried out by the Engineering Department. This body was comprised of the Reeve, the Chairman of the School Board, the Chairman of the Park Committee (later, the Board of Parks Commissioners), and six appointed citizens who served three-year terms. Council referred all matters of subdivisions, transportation planning, and rezoning to this Commission, which was later supported in its work by several other special or standing committees such as the Subdivision Committee, the Apartment Committee, the Transportation Committee or the Town Planning Board of Appeal. By 1953, it had become apparent that the advisory committees that were dedicated to these planning issues needed a permanent staff to carry out the work intensive, so a restructuring of the Engineering department resulted in a permanent Planning Engineer’s office being created. The Town Planning Commission continued in its advisory capacity even after the determination came in 1956 to create a separate Planning Department. When Bylaw No. 4473 was passed in 1963, the Town Planning Commission was disbanded in favour of a new Advisory Planning Commission that would turn over all routine matters such as subdivision and rezoning applications to the Planning Department but would offer advice and community input into the more complex planning schemes within the City and act as an intermediary in cases where Council and Planning staff were in disagreement. A new Advisory Planning Commission Bylaw (No. 7600) was adopted in 1980 which allowed for even greater community participation in the planning process. The Planning Department was initially responsible to report directly to Council, but in 1957, the administrative structure of Municipal staff changed with the introduction of the Burnaby Municipal Manager Bylaw (No. 3859) and from that point on, the head of the Planning Department held a direct reporting relationship to the Municipal Manager, who in turn was responsible for reporting the activities of the Department to the City Council. Over the years, the internal structure and the scope of responsibilities of the Department have changed during periods of staff reorganizations. Under the larger umbrella of the Planning and Building Department, Planning has come to be comprised of two divisions: the Current Planning Division and the Long Range Planning Division. The functions of the Current Planning Division include rezoning, subdivision, development plan areas, preliminary plan approvals, urban design, heritage planning, and urban trails and bicycle routes. The Long Range Planning Division is responsible for environmental planning concerns, transportation planning, housing, neighbourhood area planning, social planning and planning information services. In 2022, the Planning and Building Department was reorganized to better align functions with delivery of services. The Climate Action and Engery Division moved from Corporate Services to the Planning and Building Department, while Indigenous Relations and Facilities Management moved to Corporate Services and Lands and Facilities, respectively. The position of Director of Planning and Building was changed to General Manager, Planning and Development. The following individuals have served as Planning Engineer and/or Director of the Planning Department and/or General Manager, Planning and Development for the City of Burnaby: William John Blakely 1954-1956 (as Planning Engineer) 1956-1963 (as Head of the Department) Anthony P. Parr 1964-1993 Don G. Stenson 1993-2001 Jack S. Belhouse 2001-2006 Basil Luksun 2006-2012 Lou Pelletier 2012-2019 Edward Kozak 2019-present
- Formats
- Microforms exist for some records. See series descriptions.
- Media Type
- Textual Record
- Photograph
- Moving Images
- Creator
- City of Burnaby
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
Galiano Island, Oak Theatre and Calgary
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85241
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1941]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (9 min., 51 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a silent digitized colour film segment identified as Reel 7. The film segment opens with footage of the shores of Galiano Island and soon switches to a game of table tennis and a boat ride up Burrard Inlet with Grannie Swan and company. The boat ride continues to the marina at Horseshoe Bay…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1941]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (9 min., 51 sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-003-7
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a silent digitized colour film segment identified as Reel 7. The film segment opens with footage of the shores of Galiano Island and soon switches to a game of table tennis and a boat ride up Burrard Inlet with Grannie Swan and company. The boat ride continues to the marina at Horseshoe Bay where the family goes ashore. This footage is followed with a dark segment of footage of a paegant at the Oak Theatre in 1941 and the gardens of the Oak Theatre. The film has a break and continues with footage of the Digney family travels to the Calgary Breweries, Calgary Zoo, and the Calgary Stampede parade and fairgrounds, Alberta, closing with footage of the Rockies and Rogers Pass.
- Subjects
- Animals - Birds
- Events - Parades
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Geographic Access
- Burrard Inlet
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Kingsway-Beresford Area
Images
Video
Galiano Island, Oak Theatre and Calgary, [between 1939 and 1941]
Galiano Island, Oak Theatre and Calgary, [between 1939 and 1941]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-7.m4vDigney family in Burnaby
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85249
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1959]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (5 min., 17sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized film colour segment identified as Reel 12. The film is a compilation of Digney family events. The film opens with children Paul and Bruce Digney running around the Digney family yard at their home on Bonsor Avenue with Andy and Ernest (Dig) Digney looking on. This is followed by…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1939 and 1959]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (5 min., 17sec.) : digital, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-003-12
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized film colour segment identified as Reel 12. The film is a compilation of Digney family events. The film opens with children Paul and Bruce Digney running around the Digney family yard at their home on Bonsor Avenue with Andy and Ernest (Dig) Digney looking on. This is followed by interspersed footage of the family's pet dog Nero and puppies along with some brief glimpses of the Royal visit (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) and cavilicade in 1939 along Kingsway. The film then switches to footage of Digney family Christmas festivities, a cat playing with a fish in a bowl and summer time at Pelican Lake in the 1940s and ends with a dog playing with a ball.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
- Geographic Access
- Bonsor Avenue
- Kingsway
- Historic Neighbourhood
- Central Park (Historic Neighbourhood)
- Planning Study Area
- Maywood Area
Images
Video
Digney family in Burnaby, [between 1939 and 1959]
Digney family in Burnaby, [between 1939 and 1959]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-12.m4vParades
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85248
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1948]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Item
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (11 min., 17sec.) :digital, b&w, col., si.
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 11. Film opens with colour footage of the Tacoma Daffodil Parade and switches to some black and white and colour footage of the Vancouver Diamond Jubilee Parade starting from the Toronto Dominion Bank located at Hastings Street and C…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- [between 1936 and 1948]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 film clip (11 min., 17sec.) :digital, b&w, col., si.
- Description Level
- Item
- Record No.
- 562-003-11
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Accession Number
- 2014-04
- Scope and Content
- Item is a digitized silent colour film segment identified as Reel 11. Film opens with colour footage of the Tacoma Daffodil Parade and switches to some black and white and colour footage of the Vancouver Diamond Jubilee Parade starting from the Toronto Dominion Bank located at Hastings Street and Cambie Street. The Queen appears in a calvicade at the beginning of the parade. The footage soon switches to the Vancouver PNC Parade in 1946 celebrating 50 years of progress.
- Subjects
- Events - Parades
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney, Andy
- Notes
- Title based on contents of film
Images
Video
Parades, [between 1936 and 1948]
Parades, [between 1936 and 1948]
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/media/hpo/_Data/_Archives_Moving_Images/_Unrestricted/562-003-11.m4vDigney Family fonds
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription85415
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1936-19[61]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Dign…
- Repository
- City of Burnaby Archives
- Date
- 1936-19[61]
- Collection/Fonds
- Digney Family fonds
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w + 1 film reel : col. ; 16mm + 7 optical discs (DVDs) + 1 portable drive
- Description Level
- Fonds
- Access Restriction
- No restrictions
- Reproduction Restriction
- May be restricted by third party rights
- Scope and Content
- Fonds consists of a reel of film (digitized into four segments) created by Andy Digney; a panorama photograph of the Digney Pee-Wee Bowling League from 1958 or 1959; and 18 film segments on DVD that were originally created by Andy Digney between 1934 and 1961 and digitized by his grandson Paul Digney in 2012. The 16mm film is divided into the following segments: the Oak Theatre in 1936 (construction and opening); the Royal Visit (from the King and Queen) in 1939; Burnaby Sports and May Day events (ca. 1937); and the Labour parade (ca. 1935). The 18 film segments contain footage of the Digney family at their home in Brandon, Manitoba, and Burnaby; views of the Oak Theatre and Digney Speedway in operation; and their travels throughout British Columbia and abroad. The 18 film segments are described at the item level and titled: Andy's first film; Brandon, Manitoba; Burnaby and Digney recreational events; Trip to Kamloops; Burnaby; Burnaby, Vancouver and the north shore; Galiano Island, Oak Theatre and Calgary; Travels to Ontario, Quebec and England; Travels to England #2; Travels to England #3; Parades; Digney family in Burnaby; Paul Digney and family; Digney family and the Oak Theatre gardens; Digney family at Bonsor Avenue and family outings; Building and opening the Digney Speedway; Digney family travel the praries; and San Francisco Trip.
- History
- Andy Digney was born in London, England, on July 27, 1886. His given names were Andrew Charles. In 1905, he immigrated with his elder brother to Raymore, Saskatchewan, and worked on a farm. In 1914, he met and married Alice Swan and in 1920 they had their one and only child, Ernest ('Dig'). The young family lived in Beatty, Saskatchewan, where they ran a small general store with a pool hall over the top. Andy sold the store and they moved to Carberry, Manitoba, where Andy worked selling lightning rods and hanging wallpaper. At this time, he met and formed a partnership with someone who owned a hand cranked move projector and in the evenings, he and his wife traveled to church halls in neighbouring towns, showing movies. Eventually, Digney purchased his own movie projector and opened a small theatre in Carberry. He worked odd jobs during the daytime and projected movies in his small theatre at night. Eventually he made enough money to move to Brandon, Manitoba, where he purchased a restaurant, which he turned into a theatre with living quarters above. Andy called the theatre 'The Oak' since the mighty oak was strong and stood forever. After starting the first Oak Theatre in Brandon, Manitoba, when talking pictures came along, Andy Digney, his wife Alice and son Ernest ('Dig') moved to Burnaby in 1935 and chose the site of their new theatre and home at the corner of Kingsway and Marlborough. The Oak Theatre - which opened on August 4, 1937 - was hailed as an artistic masterpiece for its ultra modern white stucco exterior, floodlights and pink-and-green neon marquee. The interior featured a mirrored ceiling, fireplace, and aquarium and had a colour scheme of orchid, royal blue, silver and black. Andy was a very involved member of the Burnaby community, becoming the founding president of the Lion's club and the chairman of the committee raising money for war bonds during World War II. In 1944, Andy suffered a severe heart attack, forcing him to retire, so in 1945, he sold the theatre to Odeon Theatres of Canada who continued to operate at this location until 1968 when competition forced its closure and demolition. Andy and his family relocated to a home on Bonsor Avenue on 3/4 acres where he spent much of his time cultivating a lovely garden. In about 1946, Andy was approached by the B.C. Midget Auto Racing Association [original name retained for historical accuracy], who were looking for a good location to race the smaller racing cars popular at the time. Andy was interested and purchased 10 acres of property located near the corner of Irmin Street and MacPherson Avenue and built a race track. The Digney Speedway opened on July 8, 1948, with stands that had capacity of holding 4500 people. In 1949, when the popularity of this kind of racing declined, Digney started racing roadsters. However, he struggled to find local drivers, and it was expensive to bring in drivers from elsewhere. In 1951, Digney found a winner: jalopy racing. Local men would buy 1930s cars and strip them down, remove the glass, and weld the doors shut. By early 1952 over 40 cars were showing up for jalopy races. By the early 1950s, the Speedway was well established, with coverage in the sports pages and on radio. Andy's son Dig worked at the race track but moved away with his wife in 1951 to work in Seattle. Dig and his wife Joyce, along with their two young sons, Paul and Bruce, returned to Burnaby in 1953, moving into a 550-square-foot apartment located above the Digney Speedway restrooms. In 1954, Simpson Sears built a large store on Kingsway and their parking lot came up to the back garden of the family home on Bonsor Avenue. Andy thought of building small stores on his property but in the end decided to build a bowling alley, clearing out his beautiful garden. The Digney Bowl opened on August 19, 1955, and Andy, Alice, Dig, and Joyce all worked at both the Speedway and the bowling alley. In 1956, Andy decided to finally retire and sold the bowling alley and home to his son Dig, which he paid for over time. Dig and his family moved into the house on Bonsor Avenue and ran the bowling alley until their son Bruce took over in 1980. Andy Digney died in 1964 while travelling with his wife in England. Alice died on June 3, 1982, and Dig died on November 27, 2009.
- Media Type
- Moving Images
- Photographer
- Digney, Andy
- Creator
- Digney family
- Notes
- Title based on contents of fonds
- Photo/MI catalogue 562