BANFF – The building that is home to Banff’s senior centre and public library is being renamed the Catharine Robb Building in honour of one of the town’s greatest community builders.
The Peter and Catharine Whyte Foundation, which holds the head lease of the land and rents the building to the Town of Banff under a sub-lease agreement, is renaming the 101 Bear St. building.
Officials with the foundation say Banff was founded and continues to flourish because of the generosity, grit and vision of extraordinary people, including Robb Whyte.
“Catharine was an outstanding community builder whose thoughtful generosity and warm kindness exemplifies the spirit of Banff,” wrote the foundation’s chair Marino DiManno and CEO Donna Livingston in a letter to the Town of Banff.
“Naming 101 Bear St. the Catharine Robb Building is a very fitting recognition of this outstanding philanthropist whose legacy is felt every day in Banff.”
Robb Whyte, originally from Massachusetts, was married to Peter Whyte, the son of one of Banff’s founding families, and she was an integral and dynamic part of the Banff community until her death in 1979.
Talented artist and painter, philanthropist, conservationist, community builder, Robb Whyte also received many national and local honours, including the Order of Canada in 1978 for “her active interest in the Native peoples and for her support of museums, art projects, theatres, libraries, parks and conservation in Alberta”.
In addittion, she was given an honorary doctorate from the University of Calgary and was named outstanding citizen of the year in 1969.
Perhaps her most treasured recognition was the name “Princess White Shield” given to her by the Stoney Nakoda in recognition of her steadfast commitment to and support of their community.
Town of Banff administrators say there are no concerns with the renaming of the building from a geographic locator name of 101 Bear St. to one that reflects the heritage of Robb Whyte’s contributions.
As the tenant, the Town is allowed specific uses under its agreement with the Whyte foundation such as the senior centre, public library, and community centre for social and wellness programming, among others.
“It is believed the new name would not diminish the awareness or function of the many and varied other activities in the building,” said Jason Darrah, the director of communications for the Town of Banff.
“Embracing a name that reflects a part of the town’s heritage and celebrates the values espoused by one of its important citizens may also enhance the character of this community hub.”
The Banff Seniors Society, however, has expressed concern at not being notified of the building’s name change, adding that it has never cared for the current 101 Bear St. name either.
“I believe we would be in favour of renaming the building in honour of Catharine Robb Whyte,” said the society’s president Mary Buckingham in a letter to the Town.
“We would prefer that the upper storey of the building continue to refer in some way to its use by local senior citizens.”
Councillor Ted Christensen expressed concern that the seniors’ society had not been notified.
“I am not contesting the renaming of the building … but I am well aware of the numbers of seniors who regard it as the seniors’ centre,” he said.
“To my reckoning it was an oversight because that’s what’s the building has been referred to for a number of years.”
Coun. Chip Olver believes the society may have been able to get more behind the name change initially had members been notified.
“I, too, wish the seniors’ society could have been notified in advance, so that they could have felt supportive of the name change,” he said.
But administration says there was no obligation for the Town to consult with the community.
“It was not an oversight; it was something that we didn’t feel we were required to do since we are not the owners of that building and the decision is not ours,” Darrah said.
This year would have marked Catharine Robb Whyte’s 115th birthday.
“2021 is seen as an appropriate year to recognize her contributions with the naming of this important community building after an exemplary and rare Banff citizen,” Darrah said.
