Ge'iting to Know Heritage

GE’ITING TO KNOW HERITAGE Planners, architects, developers Toronto. As part of its procedure and designers have long had to deal for developing a new official plan, primarily with an existing, built fa Metro Toronto funded a study on bric. In most cases, however, they heritage. The resulting report, en have been so concerned with pro titled “The Management of Histor viding for growth and expansion ical Resources” examines the range that the already-built environment of heritage activities that can be has been viewed more as an impe undertaken by both the private and diment to progress than as a mate public sectors. Activities covered rial to be worked with, respected, range from museum development and enjoyed. to the influence of heritage on fu Environmental concern, on the ture development. The study also part of planners and the public, provides an overview of heritage coupled with growing local pride, legislation and conservation organi criticism of the form and amount of zations in Ontario, the U.S. and recent urban growth, new under elsewhere. standing of the causes of urban pro Winnipeg. A detailed program blems, and discovery of their ab for restoration and redevelopment sence in many older communities for the heart of Winnipeg has been have all militated towards a revived prepared. Although its implemen appreciation of older elements of tation remains uncertain, the nume the built environment — our heri rous suggestions for re-use, land tage. scaping, traffic control, and im While subjective appreciation of provements of both modest and siz heritage has matured, comprehen able proportions could serve as a sive plans for its protection and en useful source book of ideas in many hancement are but in their infancy. locales. The problem of incorporating heri tage buildings and districts into St. John’s Area Conserv. Study planning and development schemes Heritage Canada is one of changing gears, of moving Ottawa, Ont. F from policies, wherein anything Manage’t. Historical Resources might go to establishing ones in Metro. Toronto Planning Dept. which much will stay. Several stu City Hall dies exploring policy and planning Toronto, Ont. problems and possibilities have Time Present and Time Past been undertaken in recent years. Dept. Soc. Plan., Vanc. City Hall The recommendations of some have Broadway actually been implemented while Vancouver, others are still waiting. B.C. Old Winnipeg Restoration St. John’s. With funding from Dept. Envir. Plan., City Winnipeg Heritage Canada and the New Winnipeg, Man. foundland Historic Trust, a compre hensive study has been made of II-D-3 what will soon become the St. John’s Conservation Area. The stu dy examines the architectural merit of all buildings within the area, their current and potential uses, their structural condition, and the role each plays in creating an 1 attractive streetscape. In addition, based on evaluation of tenancy trends in the area, the expected im pact of proposed government pro grams, traffic and pedestrian circu lation, and those sites capable of y supporting new development, the study puts forth recommendations as to procedures and priorities for I development of the area. Vancouver. “Time Present and Time Past” covers the theoretical considerations behind preservation and conservation activities, selects potential conservation areas within Vancouver, and makes concrete suggestions for their improvement and protection. Since the booklet was completed in 1973, Vancouver has enacted a Heritage By-Law penalizing those demolishing or ef facing designated buildings. Some fifty buildings have been desig nated so far as have two historic areas. 45 A Former TB Sanatorium: Arts Echo in Valley For ten weeks every summer, p1w biggest attraction is a 600-member a fortnight every spring and fall, band. For teenagers from small a former 310-bed sanatorium 40 Saskatchewan communities, it is miles northeast of Regina hosts frequently their first opportunity thousands of young artists, writers, to discover that other people share actors and musicians. In 1967, as their artistic interests. The pro the sanatorium was gradually feing gram is aimed at residents of Sas phased out, the festivities over katchewan who pay $90 per week lapped the hospital’s use of the site to attend. A further $60 subsidy is and during this period an audito provided by the Saskatchewan rium was built — the only major Arts Board. Nonetheless, the Sas construction undertaken for this katchewan School of the Arts at project — to serve both patients Fort San draws people from all the and performers. Everything else Prairie Provinces and from the remained intact in this re-cycling United States as well. In this pleas project. ant setting, the readily available Now, where once there were chil activities and facilities attract inter dren’s wards, there are art studios, nationally-known artists to serve as and a former 30-bed pavilion serves teachers. as a ballet studio. More than thirty- Saskatchewan Arts Board five courses in anything from jewel 200 Lakeshore Drive lery-making to tuba-playing are of Regina, Sask. fered for one to three weeks. The (306) 565-4056 II-D-5 L’HERITAGE OBLIGE The decline of commercial activity tion of the properties. Many arti in Quebec City’s lower town in the facts were uncovered in this search early 19th century prevented the and these are now on display. Can physical redevelopment of the area, nonballs found embedded in old thus retaining it in its original state masonry were left where they right to the present. Furthermore, were. the sheer solidity of its buildings — Renovation crews worked from their thick stone walls and massive the rooftops downwards, removing foundations — has ensured that the applique’ upper storeys and rebuild structures still stand. These factors ing and retaining rooflines as re have made restoration a far easier vealed by the original gables. Old task than might otherwise have floor-planking has been exposed been the case. The area has not be and restored; the lost curves of old come just another museum; tenants staircases have been rescued; in who were temporarily displaced many rooms, original fireplaces during renovation have returned to have been discovered and reopened, occupy living quarters above the and, wherever possible, all salvage first floors of most of the buildings. able material has been retained for Below, there are antique shops, res construction use. The site will even taurants, boutiques, stores, ship’s tually be crowned by a reproduc chandlers, and craft demonstration tion of the old ramparts which once areas for visitors. In recreating an faced the harbour, and graced by a ancient aspect of Quebec, planners cobbled square, 500’ by 600’, lit by ensured living continuity for the old-fashioned street lamps. present and the future. While ten Ministry of Cultural Affairs ants were rehoused, archaeologists Province of Quebec did a complete survey and evalua Quebec City, P.Q. II-D-6 Privateer’s Wharf On a 3-acre site on Halifax’s down Division of Indian Affairs and town waterfront a unique experi Northern Development. The fed ment in development is proving eral agencies agreed to pay 50% of that the old doesn’t have to be torn the cost of restoring the exterior of down to make way for the new and the designated buildings and that old and new can stand togeth granted the developers a 75-year er and compete for the retail mar lease on the land. ket. The project is officially called The sites’ 18th and 19th century The Restoration of Historic Water buildings, many of them former front Buildings, but known locally warehouses, are being refurbished as Privateer’s Wharf. Work on the to include a variety of commercial buildings’ restoration is a joint space, a college campus, hotels and undertaking of Historic Properties office space. Ltd., Central Mortgage and Hous Historic Properties Ltd. ing Corporation, and Historic Sites Halifax, N.S. II-D-4 46 AN UNDER-UTILIZED CHURCH Ste. Cunégonde Church in Mon tee, they hit on a use that would treal’s “Little Burgundy” area was perpetuate the Church’s social and built to seat 1,200. But, as with spiritual function: “Un Place Des other churches, attendance de Arts Populaire”, to house, for exam clined and as of 1971, it became ple, crafts, exhibits, concerts, impractical to keep the building drama, and offer classes in all these operating. A committee of parish fields. Heritage Canada provided ioners was formed to explore al the group with a grant to undertake ternative uses for the building to the feasibility study because it re save it from demolition. Sugges cognized that Ste. Cunégonde’s pro tions were made ranging from its blem is not unique and its solution re-use as a home for the elderly to may provide a model for the many its use as a sports complex, but all other under-utilized churches suffered from economic or struc across the country. This study is tural impracticality. Meanwhile, now nearing completion. the church — once the centre of the For information on the project’s community’s spiritual and social life current status contact: — sat empty, unused and slowly de teriorating. Finally, an organization Comité pour la réutilisation de called “Save Montreal” became in Ste. Cunégonde volved in the search for an alterna 2461 rue St. Jacques ouest tive use. Together with the commit- Montreal, P.Q. H3J 1H8 II-D-9 AN OLD FREIGHT HOUSE An ExArmed Forces Seaplane Base RESTORED is a Forum The former base, known locally as site ready. Jericho Beach bustles cheaper than its The story is not unfamiliar. On the demolition. After Jericho Beach, will be ready this with people building everything edge of Winnipeg’s downtown core, lengthy negotiations between the spring to host the Habitat Forum — from boardwalks to gazebos to committee and the in the city’s oldest residential area, City over the the non-government conference meeting rooms seating thousands.

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