Future of 101-year-old Calgary school building up in the air as community pushes to save it
The historic Riverside Bungalow School building has stood tall since 1920, but it's also been sitting vacant for several years and now the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) intends to sell the property.
The Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association (BRCA) is now pushing for the 101-year-old building to be properly designated as a historic resource, otherwise the school could be torn down.
"It would be a huge blow to us and to the entire community -- the entire city, really -- and anybody who is interested in heritage. Because it is heritage building, it's important," said Deb Lee, who leads the BRCA's heritage committee.
Gian-Carlo Carra, the Ward 9 councillor, said he only learned that the building could be sold last week. He says he will be asking city administration to look into whether a partnership could save the building.
"I'm planning on asking a question on November 15 at (city council's) question period about how can we do this better in the future? And what specifically can we do about this situation?" Carra said Wednesday.
"I hope there's an opportunity to go back to the school board and say, 'Hey, why don't we look at the whole site?'," he added.
Carra says there may be an opportunity to come up with long-term plan to preserve the old school building and reconfigure the school yard area and better use it for the nearby Riverside School, which is located on the other side of 1 Ave. NE.
Bridgeland-Riverside school, Calgary, Nov.3, 2021
He says the city was asked by the CBE whether there was a municipal use for the building and it was determined it wasn't needed by any city departments.
The school board says it also has no more use for it.
"The most recent use for the building was for administrative purposes, but it has not been occupied for a number of years," reads an emailed statement from the CBE.
"It occupies the same lot as Riverside School and the lot is being subdivided to increase the options available to the CBE for the property."
Riverside Bungalow School was built after the First World War to accommodate an increase in school children in the area. It's one of three identical schoolhouses built in the city at the time that are still standing.
"Right now it could be demolished, it could be significantly altered. So, in the process of it being sold, it'll be sold as-is and a new owner will be free to do with it what they please," said Josh Traptow with Heritage Calgary.
Lee, the BRCA heritage committee lead, hopes the future of the old building will be reconsidered now that the public is aware it could be torn down.
"When we've got buildings like this that are public buildings, they are real treasures and we can't just turn away and let nature take its course," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.