Alberta's Historic School Building Vies for National Restoration Funding
The 90-year-old Old Coleman High School in Crowsnest Pass stands as Alberta's only finalist in a prestigious national contest that awards substantial funds for the restoration of heritage places across Canada. This historic structure, which has served as the home of the Crowsnest Museum since 1985, represents a crucial piece of the region's cultural legacy.
National Competition Offers Vital Restoration Support
The Next Great Save contest, organized by the National Trust for Canada with sponsorship from Ecclesiastical Insurance, has selected twelve finalists from across the nation. The competition offers significant financial rewards: $50,000 for the winner, with additional prizes of $10,000 and $5,000 for runners-up. Online voting commenced recently and will continue through April 24, with winners announced at 3 p.m. MST on that final day.
Heritage Crowsnest, the organization overseeing three historic sites in the Crowsnest Pass including this museum, would direct any winnings toward restoring the building's deteriorating front facade. "A $50,000 influx would be a great start," emphasized Heritage Crowsnest CEO Chris Matthews, highlighting how such funds would jumpstart their broader $250,000 Bricks of Legacy fundraising campaign aimed at completing the full facade restoration by next year.
Urgent Restoration Needs for Historic Structure
The two-storey brick building requires substantial work to preserve its architectural integrity and functionality. "We have 26 very large windows just on the front facade alone that all need to be replaced," Matthews explained. Beyond the window replacements, the restoration plan includes:
- Minor brick repointing and masonry repairs
- Fresh paint application to enhance appearance
- Overall facade rehabilitation to address deterioration
Matthews noted that while these specific areas need attention, "the building is in great shape" overall. The window replacements would provide the additional benefit of reducing energy costs for the historic structure, which Matthews acknowledged "probably aren't the most efficient buildings in the world."
Cultural Significance and Community Role
The Old Coleman High School has evolved into a cornerstone of cultural preservation since transitioning from an educational institution to a museum. After closing as a school in the late 1970s, the building reopened to the public as the Crowsnest Museum in 1985. Remarkably, it has now served as a museum for nearly as long as it functioned as an educational facility.
Matthews described the museum as "a fixture" in the Crowsnest Pass, serving dual purposes as both a repository for the region's history and a destination for visitors seeking to understand the area's development. "What's on display and even what's in the collection really does tell the tale of the cultural history of the formation of Crowsnest Pass as we know it today," he explained.
The museum attracts between 4,000 and 6,000 visitors annually, establishing itself as what Matthews calls "this very key foundational piece of both visiting and learning in the Crowsnest Pass." The collections and exhibits provide invaluable insights into the region's historical narrative, making preservation efforts particularly significant for both current and future generations.
Community Support and Voting Encouragement
With Alberta having just this single finalist in the national competition, Matthews is actively encouraging Albertans to support their local heritage by voting online for the Old Coleman High School. Voters can cast their ballots daily until the April 24 deadline. "Even if you don't remember every day, any time you can would be lovely," Matthews urged, emphasizing that consistent support could make a substantial difference in the competition outcome.
As voting progresses, a Nova Scotia church currently leads the competition, but with strong community backing, the Alberta historic school could potentially secure a top position. The restoration funds would not only preserve an important architectural landmark but would also ensure continued public access to the region's historical treasures through the museum's operations.
