An A-ranked heritage structure in Banff may be turned into a columbarium.
The 1905 Banff power substation adjacent to the Old Banff Cemetery is being considered for a columbarium, a place for the storage of urns holding cremated remains.
Banff’s 2017 budget calls for $116,000 for development and installation of a columbaria, ossuary, and memorial wall within a developed gated garden, but officials are proposing a change in scope to include interior use of the old power substation.
“Adaptive reuse of heritage structures is encouraged throughout the province under the Historical Resources Act, as well as in other parts of the country,” said Randall McKay, Banff’s planning and development manager.
The Banff substation at 606 Buffalo St. is a decorative former utility building built in 1905. Originally used as a substation for bringing power to Banff from Bankhead, the building was decommissioned and has remained vacant for about 65 years.
Considered a unique example of Italianate architecture in Banff using local construction materials, the building is under consideration by council for designation as a municipal historical resource. A designation bylaw is expected before council in the next few months.
Italianate architecture, popular in the 19th century and considered part of the revival of the Victorian architectural tradition, is rare in Alberta and seldom applied to utilitarian buildings like a power substation.
Jennifer Laforest, the Town of Banff’s heritage planner, said Italianate style was also likely considered the most appropriate form of architecture for the use of Banff’s unique yellow brick, as the style favoured the use of yellow stone, brick and paint.
“Originating from the nearby J.B Little and Sons Brick Plant on the banks of the Bow River, Banff’s yellow brick is the result of unique clay conditions that are exceptionally rare in Alberta,” she said. “The Banff power substation is the only remaining structure in Banff to be constructed of bricks from J.B. Little and Sons Brick Plant.”
Laforest, who acts as a planning liaison with the Town’s heritage corporation, said members of the group agree the power substation building has high historical value, noting the importance of finding a new use for the building to help reduce vandalism.
“The Heritage Corporation felt this was an important building to keep and preserve,” she said.
“They felt it was very important to designate it to provide an incentive to rehabilitate the building and find a new use for it.”
The interior of the building requires restoration in order to accommodate a new use such as a columbarium.
Restoration work would include repairing moisture damage and cracks to the plaster, filling in the concrete slab, refinishing and cleaning the exposed wood trusses and wood ceiling.
Laforest said the exterior trim needs new paint, and investigations should be done to determine if discolouration of the yellow brick can be rectified.
“Despite being in need of maintenance, the Banff power substation retains many of its original character-defining features and remains largely intact,” she said.
As an A-ranked non-residential resources, the Banff power substation would be eligible for $50,000 in a matching restoration/rehabilitation grant from the Town of Banff’s heritage reserve fund.
A municipal heritage designation also allows the Town of Banff to access additional funding from Alberta Culture.
Laforest said Town administration will work with a conservation architect to get a better idea of the costs for restoration of the building now that council has approved a notice of intent to designate.
“A detailed cost estimate will be provided to council with the proposed designation bylaw,” she said.
Nadine Setzer, the Town of Banff’s grounds supervisor, said a columbarium had been budgeted, but noted there’s been a change of scope from the original plan for a separate freestanding building.
“This opportunity has presented itself to utilize the interior of the building and we’re still in conversation about how that’s going to look,” she said. “It will come back at budget time.”
