The Life and Times of Hubert Brooks M.C. C.D.
A Canadian Hero
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Late 2022, upon learning of the impending demolition of the BROOKS RESIDENCE (BRS), the Brooks family contacted University of Ottawa to understand what had happened and possible University plans moving forward.
Our initial contact, Dr. Jacline Nyman, then Vice-President, External Relations University of Ottawa was very helpful and receptive to finding a way forward to retain the memory of Hubert Brooks at University of Ottawa.
As a result mold, and other structural issues the RESIDENCE was unfortunately uninhabitable.
The university was saddened by the closure, but there was no other recourse.
This file was later taken over by Anne McIlroy - Executive Director, Strategic Engagement, External Relations; who along with her team, came up with an excellent proposal for the University of Ottawa to remember the legacy of Hubert Brooks.
The plan was to dedicate a foyer, the HUBERT BROOKS FOYER, by installing a commemorative plaque at the entrance of 90U, a modern residence in the heart of the campus, across from the student’s centre.
This is detailed below.
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BROOKS COMPLEX RECAP ( from U of Ottawa web site) 622-638 King Edward Avenue, 85-95 Marie Curie, 75-101 Louis Pasteur 100 Thomas More Building code: BRS Quote: "The Brooks complex, ready for students in the fall of 1987, was officially opened in 1988. |  |
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A web posted note by Univ of Ottawa:
Message to students living in Brooks residence
Over the past few months, uOttawa’s Housing Service has initiated air quality testing on units affected by water infiltration at Brooks residence.
Housing Service undertook air quality testing of all units in Brooks residence last weekend. This testing is now complete and preliminary results indicate the presence of mold spores in some units. Impacted students have been informed and are required to be relocated.If you have not been contacted by Housing Service, it means your unit is not affected by this measure.Rest assured that the health and safety of our student residents remains of utmost importance to the University. Active monitoring and testing will continue. We will communicate relevant information if need be.
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A news item appeared in the FULCRUM
The University of Ottawa’s Independent News Outlet
(https://thefulcrum.ca/news/brooks-residence-closes-doors/)
Brooks residence closes its doors
by Sarah Crookall
2018/09/09, 9:50 am
FUTURE OF THE BUILDING TO BE DECIDED BY UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION
The University of Ottawa’s Brooks Residence (BRS) closed its doors this September just as the school year began.
Students were living in the apartment-style building, which dates back to 1987, up until Aug. 27 of this year.
In February, a notice of the building’s closure for the 2018-19 school year was sent to Brooks residents, and was issued in the Gazette.
However, plans for closure of the building date back to the 2013-14 campus master plan.
Director of the U of O’s Housing Service, Rachelle Clark, said the campus master plan identified the building as more suited for academic or mixed-use space from a study conducted from 2013 to 2014.
“Prime space is at the center of campus so we have to be very strategic in how we use that space, and in some cases that may mean going higher up as opposed to taking up a larger footprint,” she said.
The campus master plan states, “buildings, which include the UCU, Montpetit, MacDonald, the Brooks Residence, the Physical Resources office building and many of the houses on King Edward, are either deficient for their intended use, have significant physical issues or prevent more substantial development on their site.”
It also recommends demolition over renewal for the buildings in question.
Brooks residence was one of four apartment-style residence buildings offered through the university, and is located on campus at King Edward Avenue and Osgoode Street.
“The majority of our student population are first-years and apartment-style is not as enticing for first-year students.” Clark added that Brooks isn’t always the first choice with students because of its age and absence of common areas.
“Housing services had done a survey and significant consultation with students and parents a number of years ago to identify what they’re looking for in residences, and definitely what we’re hearing is the 90U version—so it’s more privates, bigger space, private bathrooms,” she said.
A 12 month stay at Brooks cost approximately $11,600 and the building could house over 700 students. Average housing costs at the University of Ottawa range from $6,401 at Stanton for a double room to $18,377 at Annex for a studio apartment.
With the loss of over 700 beds, student housing remains in high demand at the university.
This September, a new residence called Annex opened, which can house about 500 students. Additionally, single occupancy rooms at other residences have been converted into double occupancy rooms. Staff office spaces at Thompson and 90U were also made into housing units to make room for incoming students.The future of the Brooks building will be decided by the university administration over the next few months, said Clark.
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Referencing a map in the uottawa MASTER PLAN section_4 the following statement was made
“The buildings with red hatching have been identified for strategic demolition.
These buildings, which include the UCU, Montpetit, MacDonald, the Brooks Residence, the Physical Resources office building and many of the houses on King Edward, are either deficient for their intended use, have significant physical issues or prevent more substantial development on their site.
Although improvements to these buildings may be required to address immediate issues, significant reinvestment to upgrade them should be discouraged in favour of wholesale replacement.”
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REMEMBERING THE CONTRIBUTION OF HUBERT BROOKS, University of Ottawa's 1st Housing DirectorWhen the Brooks family was on campus June 16, 2023 for the HUBERT BROOKS FOYER Dedication Ceremony, the BROOKS RESIDENCE (BRS) buildings were still in place, but all doors were blocked off barring entry.
The University was in the process of seeking funds to tear down the existing structure and build something even better in its place.
The only portion of the Brooks Residence (BRU) structure which was still operational was the BROOKS GARAGE at 100 Thomas Moore Private.
The UNIVERSITY however was quite receptive to honoring the memory of HUBERT BROOKS, as their 1st Housing Director and for his tireless campaigning for proper student residences on campus.
Their proposal was to install a commemorative plaque in the foyer of 90U, a modern residence in the heart of the campus, across from the student’s centre. The 90U foyer is a high-traffic area that gets a lot of use from students
The foyer of 90U would be renamed the HUBERT BROOKS FOYER .
As mentioned above, on June 16, 2023 several members of the BROOKS FAMILY attended a ceremony at 90U University of Ottawa hosted by the wonderful Anne McIlroy, Executive Director, Strategic EngagementUniversity of Ottawa, to dedicate the HUBERT BROOKS FOYER.
Those attending the dedication ceremony are shown in the photo below.
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 This foyer has been named after Hubert Brooks, past Director of Housing |  |
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The HUBERT BROOKS dedication plaques are located on the outside wall of the 90U foyer across from the mail boxes, with several sofas located immediately in an open passageway immediately in front of the plaques.
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The HUBERT BROOKS FOYER at 90U. This is a high-traffic area that gets a lot of use from students as a result of the mail boxes for 90U and location of common area longe sofas.
A great location for the memory of HUBERT BROOKS at The University of Ottawa.
The BROOKS FAMILY are very thankful to University Of Ottawa for remembering Hubert Brooks in this manner, and it is an honour to have the foyer entering 90U named after him.
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The Life and Times of Hubert Brooks M.C. C.D.