Fate unknown for historic Calgary school

The Riverside Bungalow School has been a community landmark for over 100 years, now some Bridgeland-Riverside community members are concerned about the fate of the historic school after learning the Calgary Board of Education is looking to sell it.

The school has been mostly unused for the past several years, but some feel the history and charming appearance of the school are important features of the neighbourhood.

“They communicate that this is an old community,” said Deb Lee, the Lead of the Heritage Committee for the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association.

“When you see 1920 on there, even if you just moved in yesterday, you’re like ‘okay this is an old community this is a heritage community.’”

“I think being able to maintain and being able to keep the Riverside School would add a lot of value to that community,” said Josh Traptow, the executive director of Heritage Calgary

The arts and crafts style building was one of three identical bungalow schools built at the same time, the other two have now been converted for more modern purposes.

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The City of Calgary was asked by the CBE if it was interested in buying the school, but the City tells CityNews it determined there was no municipal need for the building so it didn’t proceed with a purchase.

The Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association does not blame the CBE for putting the building up for sale.

“I don’t argue with them selling it, it’s the aspect of it having protection so that it is not just torn down,” said Lee.

Now, the only way to ensure the protection of the building is to get it designated as a heritage resource.

“Designation has to be done at the intent of the owner, and in its current case, is the Calgary Board of Education,” explained Traptow.

“Once a site is designated as a municipal heritage resource it can’t be demolished or significantly altered.”

Lee is now calling for city council to step in.

“A building that could potentially be lost, right under our noses, so I would say to council, step up. Here’s your chance to show your support for heritage,” said Lee. “Designate this building and let’s get on with looking for it to be repurposed.”