Is it the Bowman… or the Booooooo-man Building?

Every old building comes with stories. This one comes with a few extra.

For years, rumours have circulated that the Bowman Building is haunted. One of the most persistent legends centres on Starr, a former student who was reportedly beaten by a teacher in a case of mistaken identity. The story was showcased on an episode of Lethbridge Ghost Stories.

The only problem? Starr, who was a real person, later said it never happened.

Still, when Community Social Development moved into the historic building, the team wasn’t taking any chances.

“We had to get good vibes and spirits when we moved in,” says General Manager Andrew Malcolm. “So, we named a meeting room the ‘Starr Meeting Room’. I think that goes a long way in why she hasn’t bugged us… too much.”

Whether or not the legend is true, staff have accumulated a few stories of their own after almost a year in the building.

"Don't walk around here in the dark," warns Encampment Response Technician, Kerissa Kingston.

Why not?

"As soon as you turn the lights off, you just get this eerie feeling that you’re not alone, and someone’s watching you. It’s like, ‘how fast can I get out of this building?’”

Others have more specific examples. One involves a chair in a lower-level office that somehow always moves to the middle of the room overnight. (And no, it’s not being moved by overnight cleaners!)

Encampment Support Specialist Sean Middleton remembers sitting in his office, when the door suddenly slammed shut.

“Nobody else was here,” he says. “I couldn’t think of a way that happened.”

Community Safety Specialist Allison Sherry’s experience involved an old piece of technology.

“There’s an ancient security TV monitor that hasn’t worked in years,” she explains. “All of a sudden, I hear static. The TV somehow turned itself on.”

Allison quickly turned the TV off and did her best to disassociate.

"I thought ‘that's a future me problem!’, she chuckles.

Perhaps the most mysterious story is relayed by Systems Performance Specialist Aum Patel.

“Around 5 a.m. one morning, the building alarm was tripped,” says Aum. “Security searched the building and found nobody. When the guard reviewed the security video, an exit-door sensor suddenly turned green. The door opened, then closed completely on its own.”

Sherry has a theory.

"Starr was getting a coffee!"

Does this spooky video evidence have the team believing in the supernatural?

“I haven’t been convinced quite yet,” says Sean. “But, maybe I’m just too scared to admit it.”

"I’m saying yes, just so the spirits don’t have to prove me wrong,” counters Allison. “I respect them and I hope they respect me in return!”

Asked how they would react to meeting a ghost in the hallway, the duo is split.

"I'll open the window, and I'll jump out that window," says Sean.

Allison prefers a more diplomatic approach.

"I'd use some motivational interviewing tactics, maybe try to build some rapport," she laughs.

So, the question remains: is the Bowman Building haunted?

There's no evidence to prove it.

But if there are footsteps in an empty hallway, a door closing on its own or an old television crackling back to life, don't be surprised if staff start walking a little faster toward the exit.

Just in case.