January 13, 2014 Hon.

Allison Redford Premier of Alberta; MLA Calgary-Elbow 307 Legislature Building 10800 97th Avenue Edmonton, AB. T5K 2B6 Via email: premier@gov.ab.ca; Calgary.Elbow@assembly.ab.ca

Dear Premier Redford,

Re: Elbow Park School Calgary.

The Calgary Heritage Authority (CHA), is empowered under provincial legislation to act in the interest of Calgarians on heritage-related matters in our city. We believe the recent decision to demolish and replace the Elbow Park School has been made in haste and requires further scrutiny. As you know, the Elbow Park School is a significant heritage asset and is listed as a City Wide Historic Resource on the Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources. The demolition of this structure would have a significant negative impact on heritage conservation efforts in Calgary. Our concerns regarding the decision-making process on this file include the following: There was an inadequate stakeholder engagement process that was apparently focussed on the parent council and a limited online survey. While we appreciate the urgent need to respond to a community severely affected by natural disaster, we believe that it is prudent to seek input in a transparent and rigorous process from the broader community of citizens and stakeholders.

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We are wary that concerns unrelated to flood damage, such as replacement of the gymnasium, capacity improvements, and changes to accommodate curriculum delivery, have become factors in the decision to demolish the existing school. If these enhancements are actually required, we see no reason why they cannot be incorporated into the restoration option. Regardless, any enhancements to the existing school are clearly not flood-related requirements. An almost complete lack of engineering options and related costs are available for consideration. An informed decision will require a study of various options and corresponding costs. It does not make sense to destroy this incredible heritage asset without an understanding of alternatives and costs. The proposed demolition of this heritage resource is being suggested without the benefit of a provincial Historic Resource Impact Assessment (HRIA). Heritage losses of this magnitude are seldom considered without an HRIA. Indeed, we currently have at least two files open with private sector owners of heritage assets in Calgary. Ignoring the HRIA process for Elbow Park School will undermine the provinces heritage guidelines and may result in a loss of credibility with private sector owners. Through separate correspondence to Minister Klimchuks office (also dated January 13, 2014), the CHA has requested an HRIA be conducted for Elbow Park School.

In summary, the CHA encourages a more measured and orderly approach to this decision. The Elbow Park School is an incredible heritage asset that deserves more than a cursory review backed by limited stakeholder engagement and a nebulous cost analysis. The best decision can only be taken after more facts are available and more Albertans have been heard from. We look forward to further discussion about the future of this important heritage asset. Yours truly,

Scott M. Jolliffe, Chair Calgary Heritage Authority 403.519.9892 / scottjolliffe@shaw.ca

Cc. Hon. Heather Klimchuk, Minister of Culture Hon. Jeff Johnston, Minister of Education Hon. Ric McIver, Minister of Infrastructure Mayor Naheed Nenshi, City of Calgary Councillor Brian Pincott, City of Calgary Sheila Taylor, Chair, Calgary Board of Education Matthew Wangler, Executive Director, Historic Resources Management, Alberta Culture Rollin Stanley, General Manager of Planning, Development and Assessment, City of Calgary Matthias Tita, Director of Land Use Planning and Policy, City of Calgary David Down, Coordinator of Urban Design and Heritage, City of Calgary Darryl Cariou, Senior Heritage Planner, City of Calgary