When Brock opens its 60th anniversary time capsule decades from now, it won’t just be the items inside sharing the University’s story.

The capsule itself tells a tale, one of craftsmanship, community and the work of those who’ve helped shape the University from behind the scenes.

Stephen Renda, Manager of Brock’s Machine Shop, remembers the moment he was asked to lead the time capsule construction project.

“I was pretty excited,” he said. “It’s not every day you get to build something meant to last longer than you do.”

Designed to resemble a large book, the capsule is a thoughtful blend of symbolism and sustainability.

A collection of time capsule contents is on display in the Matheson Learning Commons facing the hallway of the Thistle Complex. These items will remain on display until Friday, June 27.

The outer shell is made from sleek stainless steel, while the “pages” were crafted from a reclaimed maple table once used in a Brock physics lab. The inner structure, built from Baltic birch plywood and hidden fasteners, brings it all together for a story within a story.

The time capsule was built by the skilled staff of Brock’s Machine Shop, including Mechanical Instrument Technicians Art Reimer, Nathan Hawkins and Mitch Sillaste.

Together, they leveraged decades of experience to create something that  represents both the past and future of the University.

“It was our chance to put something tangible into Brock’s legacy. Something our kids and grandkids might one day see,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll be here when they open it. But even if I’m not, it feels good knowing we left something behind that tells part of Brock’s story.”

Fittingly, the capsule was built using equipment that’s been on campus since Brock’s earliest days in 1964, a subtle nod to the University’s roots.

“We used the original machine shop tools,” Renda said. “It was our way of honouring where we came from. This shop has been part of Brock since day one.”

The shop, which operates under the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, is a centre of design and precision. With staff skilled in a range of trades, the team builds one-of-a-kind tools and research equipment for departments across campus.

“One day, we’re making a vacuum chamber. The next, we’re fixing a photographer’s tripod,” Renda said. “But everything we do, we put thought into. We design, we build and we see it used.”

Now that the capsule is complete, the Machine Shop team will move it to the Jubilee Courtyard for Brock’s Wellness Day Barbecue and Anniversary Social on Monday, June 24, where community members can view it in person.

From there, it will be transferred to Library Special Collections and Archives, where it will be packed with a selection of items provided by the Brock community.  The capsule will be moved to its permanent home in the Student-Alumni Centre in the fall.

“A time capsule is more than a container of artifacts,” said Brad Clarke, Associate Vice-President, Students. “Its contents signal who we are, what we value and the legacy we hope to leave behind. It reflects the pride, creativity and spirit of our community in this moment in time. I’m incredibly proud of how students, faculty, staff and alumni came together to leave a lasting message for the Brock Badgers of 2064.”