Description of Historic Place

The Golf Clubhouse, also known as Building B7, is a rectangular, log structure overlooking Clear Lake and surrounded by the well-manicured greens of a golf course. Designed in the rustic Tudor style, the building features a prominent gable roof, large enclosed verandah, and exhibits stonework and log construction techniques. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Golf Clubhouse is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value
The Golf Clubhouse is associated with the early development of National Parks in Manitoba. A year before the inception of Riding Mountain National Park, at a time when sites were being considered for a national park in Manitoba, the Minister of the Interior made a commitment to a nine-hole golf course. Upgrading of an existing course at the eastern end of Clear Lake was an early priority during the preliminary development phase of the park. In 1931, the preliminary greens were improved and work began on the development of an additional nine holes, which were constructed with the assistance of relief labour.

Architectural Value
The Golf Clubhouse is a building with very good functional design. It is also a very good example of the Tudor rustic aesthetic and high standard of log construction applied in National Parks. The aim was to develop a distinctive architectural appearance for Canadian parks, which was grounded in the English Picturesque movement, combining Tudor Revival elements with rustic materials and construction techniques.

Environmental Value
The Golf Clubhouse maintains an unchanged relationship with its site and reinforces the picturesque character of its park setting. The building is a conspicuous landmark in the park.

Sources:
Edward Mills, Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Federal Heritage Building Review Office Building Report, 85-054; Golf Clubhouse, Wasagaming, Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Heritage Character Statement, 85-054.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Golf Clubhouse should be respected.

Its rustic Tudor style, function-oriented design, construction techniques and good quality craftsmanship, for example: the informal massing of the building with its prominent gable roof and large verandah; the use of natural building materials evident in the stonework and horizontal log construction with saddle-notched corners, the cobblestone detailing, and the split fieldstone foundation;

The manner in which the Golf Clubhouse maintains an unchanged relationship to its site, reinforces the character of its park setting and is a conspicuous landmark, as evidenced by: its ongoing relationship with its site on the ridge of a promontory adjacent to the golf course and overlooking the lake; its overall Tudor rustic aesthetic which is compatible with the style of the other park buildings and complements the picturesque grounds which include the manicured greens of a golf course and a contrasting backdrop of mature trees; the high visibility of the building from the golf course and from across the lake.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Golf Clubhouse at Wasagaming, a relatively early and prominent example of the rustic Tudor building style associated with Riding Mountain National Park, was built in 1932-33 to the designs of the Architectural Division of National Parks. Much of the work on the building is attributed to John Gottfried Johnson, a local log-building contractor and stone mason who participated in many of the log construction projects in the park during the 1930s. The building was expanded in 1935 to accommodate a growing membership. Further alterations were carried out in 1945, 1956 and 1976. The facility was leased to Wasagaming Golf Course Ltd. in 1983 for a period of ten years. The custodian department is Parks Canada. See FHBRO Building Report 85-54.

Reason for Designation
The Wasagaming Golf Clubhouse has been designated Recognized because of the intrinsic merit and historical significance of its design and craftsmanship. Despite numerous alterations and additions, it retains the picturesque design elements and materials so important in the early development of Riding Mountain National Park in particular, and the National Parks system more generally. Through its siting as well as its design, it continues to be an important element in defining the character of the Clear Lake area and the townsite.

Character Defining Elements
The heritage character of the Golf Clubhouse is defined by the sympathetic relationship between the design of the building and the nature of its setting.

The design is marked by the log and stone vocabulary characteristic of the 1930s phase of National Park development. The original portion of the building is of horizontal log construction with saddle-notched corners, resting on a split fieldstone foundation. Cobblestone detailing was used for the fireplace and porch piers. The 1935 addition shows similar detailing, with horizontal logwork and extensive use of cobblestone detailing. The simple gable and modified hip roof treatment of the original design was changed to gable ends, including the new wings. Subsequent changes involved the enclosure of the verandah and the substitution of the log siding for the original log infill below the windows on this section.

The use of natural materials such as log and stone for rambling structures with informal massing, prominent roofs and large verandahs was part of a design philosophy which extended to the development of picturesque grounds in imitation of the English landscape tradition. The siting of the building on the ridge of the promontory overlooking the lake gives it a panoramic view, with the setting enhanced by the well-manicured greens of the golf course.

It is important that the treatment of both the building and its setting be considered together. The materials, textures and colours of the Clubhouse should be maintained as much as possible in their present state or returned to reflect original or early detailing. The building has evolved considerably over the years and may continue to be subject to pressures for adaptation. Any changes should be based on a clear understanding of the building's history and designed to reinforce the original design intentions of the 1930s. At the same time, the grounds should be considered an integral part of the building's character and careful attention given to preserving and enhancing aspects of the landscape treatment that have survived over the years. This would include both hard and soft landscape elements, as well as the more intangible qualities such as the nature of the views from the Clubhouse.