It was definitely being used as militia quarters up to 1969. The fenced off CF-100 in the back was still there, too. And, according to what we were told at the time, the aircraft was radioactive.
The Spider was originally the base detention barracks. The building was designed with five (or maybe six) wings coming off of a large central common area. Each wing had a large barred gate at the top. Past the gate was a central hallway running the length of the wing with rooms on either side. First there was a combination open shower and lavatory room with a concrete floor. It was on one side (the left comes to mind) with a storeroom opposite. Then there were cells down each side and finally a large classroom at the end. The classroom had a door leading outside in line with the hallway.
Each of the cells had two doorways, but the doors were gone. There were still bars on the windows, however. Each cell contained either 3 or 4 double bunks. It must have been heated (because I stayed there during the winter months) but I don't recall how.
The entire building was made of wood, and would have gone up like a torch if it had ever caught fire during my time.
In all the times I was there, it was never used for anything other than visiting militia quarters. There were no military personnel permanently assigned there, and no offices were in use. Most of the doors were gone. The entire building was empty less the militiamen, the bunks and the 6 foot tables in the classrooms. It was a long march to the men's mess and and an even longer walk to the cinema.
But the Spider (and Dennison Armouries) is where I began to learn to soldier, so I remember it with some nostalgia. It was probably a lot smaller than I remember it.
Cheers,
Dan.