Qualicum College is a former private school that was founded in September of 1935 by Robert Ivan Knight in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, Canada. It was initially called Qualicum Beach School before it was changed to Qualicum College in 1949.[1] It was established "in the conviction that with the background of a good home, the comradeship of boarding school enables boys to enjoy the happiest kind of childhood and youth, and provides them with the finest preparation for life."
Robert Ivan Knight, the founder and first headmaster of Qualicum College, Despite the onset of the Depression, Robert Knight resolved to open an independent, fee-paying boarding school, with the assistance of Aubrey Muskett former headmaster of the Collegiate School in Victoria
The Qualicum Beach School, as the academy was first known, had nine students and was located in a rented house during its inaugural year. Thanks to some financial support from his family in England, Mr. Knight was able to expand his programme, and in 1937 the school was relocated to a specially-designed building amid 17 acres (69,000 m2) of seaside property. The headmaster also received assistance from his younger brother, George Henry Knight, who came to the college to teach History, languages, and music. The two brothers formed a partnership and the school (renamed Qualicum College in 1949) was incorporated as a limited liability company.[2]
The college grew steadily and by the early 1960s it had an enrollment of about seventy students, most of whom were boarders. But towards the end of the decade, operational costs increased and enrollment figures began to decline. The social climate had also changed so, in 1970 the Knights decided to close the college and sell the college property.
The school was closed in 1979 and turned in to a hotel called the Qualicum College Inn.[3] which closed in 2007. The owner sought permission to redevelop the property as a 90 unit residential condominium in 2007 but the application was withdrawn. Demolition of additions to the building added in the 1970s began in January 2008. As at May 2008, the future of the building is uncertain. [4]
Currently the University of Manitoba is documenting the history of Qualicum College 1935-1970. Everyone who attended the school or worked at the school, and their respective families are invited to send their Qualicum College memoirs for this history book and exhibit. [5]