Elbow Park School demolition risk

[newsposter]

Thread name changed January 7 - see bottom post. Re. Elbow Park school demolition risk.
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Information on flood damage to Elbow Park and Rideau Park schools from the CBE.

July 3 information
http://www.cbe.ab.ca/new/spotlights12-1 ... update.asp

[newsposter]

Story at the beginning of the CBC 11 pm news on July 9. Elbow Park school particularly hard hit with building "wings" settling away from central portion of school; will not be open by September. Will need significant repair. Rideau Park school also damaged, but may be open by September.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Ca ... 396232392/

[newsposter]

July 10 update
http://www.cbe.ab.ca/new/spotlights12-1 ... school.asp

update | Elbow Park school
Initial engineering reports at Elbow Park School indicate significant structural damage to the building, including settling of load-bearing walls and cracks throughout the facility. At this point, we have not determined a course of action for the school, be it repair; partial demolition and reconstruction, or total demolition and rebuild.

Students of Elbow Park school will need to be accommodated at another location for September 2013. Students will be moved en masse and kept together at their temporary location.

update | Rideau Park school
Initial engineering reports outlined extensive repairs that need to be done to the foundation of the building, the electrical systems, and the boilers. Work is underway and we are optimistic that Rideau Park will reopen in September, but realize that circumstances may occur that could cause delays. We believe there is an 80 per cent chance that the school will reopen as scheduled, but a back-up accommodation plan for Rideau Park students is necessary.

[newsposter]

Elbow Park school could be shut for years due to flood damage
By Trevor Howell, Calgary Herald July 10, 2013
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calga ... story.html

With video
Calgary Elbow Park
July 10, 2013 3:49 pm
City races to save historic school in Elbow Park
By Doug Vaessen and Tamara Elliott Global News
http://globalnews.ca/news/708504/city-r ... lbow-park/


Calgary public schools affected by devastating floodwaters
Elbow Park School completely damaged, but school board hopes Rideau Park School will be open this fall
CBC News
Posted: Jul 10, 2013 11:20 PM MT
Last Updated: Jul 10, 2013 11:19 PM MT
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/s ... oplay=true

[newsposter]

Latest on Elbow Park and Rideau School from the Premier:

Date: 12 July, 2013 1:59:34 PM MDT
Subject: A note from Premier Redford on Rideau Park School and Elbow Park School
Dear constituents,

As we move forward from the recent unprecedented flooding in Calgary, I as your MLA, and my government, will continue to assist you through the recovery process.

Initially, our government rolled out debit cards to provide financial support to those who were evacuated and a disaster recovery program to ensure that affected Albertans could repair flood-damaged homes as quickly as possible. The disaster recovery program is now accepting applications from homeowners to repair or rebuild their primary residence and other uninsurable property damage and loss. For information on the disaster recovery program, please visit http://alberta.ca/2013DisasterRecoveryPrograms.cfm

Another important step in our recovery is ensuring our community schools are taken care of. As you know Rideau Park School and Elbow Park School were impacted and suffered extensive damage from the flooding. I have been in close discussion with Education Minister Jeff Johnson regarding the condition of these schools and am pleased to provide an update.

Earlier this week, Minister Johnson toured both schools to see firsthand the efforts underway to get these important buildings repaired as soon as possible. The Minister also attended a meeting with the Calgary Board of Education, school staff and parents of both Rideau Park School and Elbow Park School to discuss the future of these two schools.

During the meeting CBE officials told parents that, if all goes as planned, Rideau Park School should be open in September, which is great news.

While Elbow Park School will not be open next year, Minister Johnson committed to ensuring the province will do all it can to save as much of the historic school as possible. We know how important this school is to the community – it’s part of family memories and our community’s heritage.

I understand the Calgary Board of Education and parents agreed to meet over the coming weeks to discuss options for Elbow Park students. It’s our hope that the board does everything it can to keep Elbow Park student cohorts together in the fall. My government has already committed to doing whatever we can to make this possible.

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Emma or Bailee at my constituency office at (403) 252-0346. As we learn more we will continue to keep you informed.

-Alison Redford, MLA for Calgary-Elbow and Premier of Alberta

(Please feel free to share this email with your community, friends, family and neighbours.)

[newsposter]

The CBE held a meeting last night (August 20) with parents of students at Elbow Park and Rideau Schools. There was some news about the state of Elbow Park school that indicates this great heritage building is still under threat of demolition, though saving it "can be done". Read below the story from Metro.

http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/772337 ... ptember-9/

Updated: August 21, 2013 | 12:55 am
One flooded Calgary Board of Education school to open on time, another ‘deteriorating rapidly’
By Jeremy Nolais, Metro Calgary

Calgary parents from one school ravaged by flooding breathed a collective sigh of relief Tuesday, while those from a more badly damaged building feared portions of the cherished site would be lost for good.

The Calgary Board of Education revealed at a meeting that Rideau Park School will have its $4 million worth of flood-related repairs completed and ready for the first day of classes Sept. 3.

But students from nearby Elbow Park School have already been told it will be years before that building reopens, and a complete demolition and rebuild may be required.

CBE Supt. of facilities Frank Coppinger informed dozens in attendance at the meeting that an “underground river” formed at Elbow Park and the school is “deteriorating rapidly.” Particularly troubling, he said, is that the beams positioned over the library are beginning to separate.

“It means it’s a very onerous exercise to underpin the foundations around that library to make it safe,” Coppinger said, before adding, “(But) it can be done.”

CBE officials did remain optimistic that a dozen modulars being installed a few kilometres north at Earl Grey School would be ready to serve as a temporary home for Elbow Park’s few hundred kids by Sept. 9, less than a week after classes are scheduled to resume for all other students.

Elbow Park School expressed concerns Tuesday about busing to their modular site at Earl Grey, staggered start times that could see classes pushed back to 9 a.m. every morning and salvaging the original Elbow Park library, which one mother described as the school’s “heart and soul,”

Many in attendance also commended the efforts of the CBE, city and province to get plans for a replacement facility in place.

“I was really pleased that they had a quick solution for us . . . it was my wish that we had a place to go that was nearby,” said Jennifer Spencer, whose family is living in Britannia while awaiting a return to their flooded Elbow Park home.

Spencer will now likely drive her daughter Rebecca, who’s heading into Grade 3, part of the way to Earl Grey and then rely on newly added bus routes to take her the rest of the way.

June’s flooding was the likely the first to impact CBE schools in the organization’s history.

[newsposter]

Here is the link to the CBE's latest update on Elbow Park and Rideau Park schools. Regarding Elbow Park: We continue to wait for the engineering reports from our insurance companies with a recommendation for the Elbow Park School building. Once we know whether the building will be repaired, partially demolished and rebuilt, or entirely demolished and completely rebuilt, we will provide an update.

http://www.cbe.ab.ca/new/news2013-14/20 ... u-park.asp

[newsposter]

Province vows to rebuild Elbow Park School despite flood risk
By Matt McClure, Calgary Herald September 20, 2013

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Province+v ... story.html

The message is still a bit unclear whether the school will be repaired or rebuilt, but according to Education Minister Jeff Johnston: “I am quite resolute in my belief that that school should be saved both because it’s a viable school in a strong community that has been affected enough and also because of its historic value.”

[cjane]

Information from the fall 2013 coming soon

[cjane]

The CBE is meeting on Tuesday, January 7 to discuss the future of Elbow Park school as per the pdf linked below.

The Board of Trustees endorses Administration's recommendation to obtain flood relief funding from the Minister of Education for the replacement of Elbow Park school. Administration notes that they have consulted with community stakeholders whose overwhelming preference is for the replacement solution, which is supported for the following summary reasons:
- Replacement is less expensive than restoration/repair
- Flood mitigation will continue to be a problem for the existing building
- Hazardous materials in the existing building
- The current building is not up to current building codes
- A replacement ensures deferred maintenance is eliminated
- Barrier Free
- Standard size gymnasium
- Curriculum Delivery
- A new school could accommodate a larger number of students.

Once again current building standards and practices are conflicting with buildings created almost a century ago. Some of the risks of replacement are as follows:
- The school has been identified as a key historic resource for the city of Calgary is listed on its inventory of historic resources: http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/LUPP/Pages/Heritage-planning/Historic-resources/Discover-Historic-Calgary-Content.aspx?dhcResourceId=122
- Once the existing building is demolished the Elbow Park neighbourhood will permanently lose one of its key heritage assets
- Restoration/repair is a greener (re-use/recycle) option than replacement
- Although a new building may assist in addressing current deferred maintenance all buildings, no matter their age, have ongoing maintenance items to address that need to be budgeted for on an ongoing basis.
- Flood mitigation of an existing heritage building provides a wonderful opportunity for the CBE to demonstrate flood mitigation on a heritage building.
- It's true that no 88 year old building meets current building code standards, but there are many global examples of adaptive re-use that integrate new and old standards.
- Curriculum Delivery: Arguably students may be more inspired to learn and grow in a building that retains its patina of history.
- The Elbow Park community's population ebbs and flows, and a school that can accommodate a larger population would probably require a larger catchment area.

The complete report can be found here, starting on page 17: http://www.cbe.ab.ca/Trustees/agendas/a14Jan7.pdf.

CHI encourages all of its members and heritage friends to advocate in favour of the school's future to your local Trustee and to request a Heritage Resource Impact Assessment (HRIA). Once it's gone it will be lost forever.

[Fragile]

Articles regarding the fate of the Elbow Park School from the Calgary Herald:

Plan to demolish Elbow Park School condemned by Calgary Heritage Authority
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/politics/Elbow+Park+School+demolition+plan+condemned+Calgary/9359856/story.html

CBE officials urge on-site replacement of flood-damaged school: Cost to rebuild on flood plain absent from report to trustees
http://www.calgaryherald.com/officials+urge+site+replacement+flood+damaged+school/9356452/story.html

[newsposter]

CBE trustees OK bid to rebuild Elbow Park School
By Reid Southwick and Matt McClure, Calgary Herald January 8, 2014
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calga ... story.html

Replacement school must be protected from 1-in-500-year flood
By Matt McClure, Calgary Herald January 8, 2014
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Replacemen ... story.html

Editorial: Elbow Park School’s rebuilding must be deftly handled
Calgary Herald January 8, 2014
http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion/ed ... story.html

[Carolyn Ryder]

Community Heritage and Family History blog: The Value of Old Buildings

http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/blogs/c ... 3986#p3986

[Admin]

Letter written to the CBE Trustees (and later Minister) regarding the Elbow Park School:

The Calgary Heritage Initiative Society strongly urges you and the Board of Trustees to reconsider replacement of the current Elbow Park School in favour of rehabilitation.

Elbow Park School was designed by William Branton, Calgary School Board Architect and Building Superintendent and construction began in 1926. It was the first brick school in Calgary, and one of the few built between the wars. Built in a unique Tudor Revival style, it is a distinct landmark for the Elbow Park community, as well as the citizens of Calgary. It provides us with a visual touchstone to our past and creates a sense of place. In a word it is irreplaceable.

Although a rebuild may cost less financially than rehabilitation, consideration must also be given to the risks of replacement as follows:

· - Flood mitigation for an existing heritage building provides a wonderful opportunity for the CBE to demonstrate innovation and adaptation. The building itself could become a teaching tool for architects and builders from around the world.

· - The school has been identified as a city-wide historic resource by city council for and is listed on its inventory of historic resources. Loss of the school represents loss of a valued piece of Calgary’s heritage.

· - Restoration/repair is a more environmentally friendly option than replacement

· - Although a new building may assist in addressing current deferred maintenance all buildings, no matter their age, have maintenance items to address that need to be budgeted for on an ongoing basis.

· - It's true that no 88 year old building meets current building code standards, but there are many examples, local and global, of adaptive re-use that integrates new and old standards.

· - Arguably students may be more inspired to learn and grow in a building that retains its patina of history.

· - The Elbow Park community's population ebbs and flows, and a school that can accommodate a larger population may itself not be viable in 1-20 years


CHI encourages you to consider a viable future for the Elbow Park School and to request a Heritage Resource Impact Assessment (HRIA) from the provincial government prior to making any conclusive decision. Once it's gone it will be lost forever.



Regards,

Cynthia Klaassen

President, CHI

http://www.calgaryheritage.org

[Admin]

Letter written regarding the Elbow Park School by local writer and heritage advocate Irena Karshenbaum:

Irena Karshenbaum
[Contact info redacted]

January 15, 2014

Attention: The Honourable Alison Redford, M.L.A., Premier of Alberta

Honourable Heather Klimchuk, M.L.A., Minister of Culture

Danielle Smith, M.L.A., Leader of the Official Opposition

His Worship Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary
Ward Sutherland, Ward 1 Councillor
Joe Magliocca, Ward 2 Councillor
Jim Stevenson, Ward 3 Councillor
Sean Chu, Ward 4 Councillor
Ray Jones, Ward 5 Councillor
Richard Pootmans, Ward 6 Councillor
Druh Farrell, Ward 7 Councillor
Evan Woolley, Ward 8 Councillor
Gian-Carlo Carra, Ward 8 Councillor
Andre Chabot, Ward 9 Councillor
Brian Pincott, Ward 11 Councillor
Shane Keating, Ward 12 Councillor
Diane Colley-Urquhart, Ward 13 Councillor
Peter Demong, Ward 14 Councillor

Sheila Taylor, CBE Board Chair

Regarding: Protecting and Preserving the 1926 Tudor Revival style Elbow Park School

I’m writing to request the protection and preservation of the Elbow Park School in Calgary.

Built in 1926 in the Tudor Revival style, the Elbow Park School is one of the neighborhood’s key heritage landmarks and is widely considered to be one of the city’s most beautiful brick schools.

In its recent decision, the CBE has made a cavalier and misguided decision to demolish the Elbow Park school. I write to remind the CBE, the school does not belong to the CBE but belongs to all Albertans and it is a key provincial heritage resource.

The CBE has expressed the following reasons to demolish the school:



Additional reasons against demolition:
· The school has been listed on the City of Calgary inventory of historic resources: http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/LUPP/Pages/He ... urceId=122 and is recognized as a “City Wide Historic Resource.”
· With the loss of the school, the Elbow Park neighbourhood will permanently lose one of its key heritage assets and its neighbourhood cache and value will decline.
· Restoration and repair is a greener and more environmentally responsible option than demolition and replacement. Restoration and repair is aligned with the City of Calgary recycling programs.

The reasons that have been provided for the demolition of the Elbow Park School show a lack of understanding of our city’s valuable heritage resources, restorative building practices and ethical environmental standards as well as how the value of neighborhoods is created.

I respectfully request that the Premier order a Historic Resource Impact Assessment.

I respectfully request that the City of Calgary deny a demolition order.

I look forward to your response and can be reached at (403) 287-8464.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

“Irena Karshenbaum”

Irena Karshenbaum
Writer and heritage advocate


CC: Scott Jolliffe, Chair, Calgary Heritage Authority
David Down, Darryl Cariou, Clint Robertson and Bob van Wegen, City of Calgary Heritage Team
Matthew Wangler, Executive Director, Historic Resources Management Branch and Alberta Historical Resources Foundation
Cynthia Klaassen, President, Calgary Heritage Initiative
Chris Edwards, Chair, Development Watch Committee, Calgary Heritage Initiative