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Banff relocating heritage cabin for rec grounds redevelopment

BANFF – A heritage cabin at the Banff recreation grounds will cost $235,000 to move and rehabilitate after it was omitted from the multi-million dollar redevelopment plans for the area. The Rundle campground service building No.
Rec Grounds plan_web
When Banff town council approved plans to redevelop the Rec Grounds a small heritage cabin was mistakenly left out. In February, council approved funds to relocate and rehabilitate the structure.

BANFF – A heritage cabin at the Banff recreation grounds will cost $235,000 to move and rehabilitate after it was omitted from the multi-million dollar redevelopment plans for the area.

The Rundle campground service building No. 2, which was built in 1924, will be moved from its location between the ball diamonds and skate park to a cleared area north of the existing bike skills park.

Town officials say the heritage cabin wasn’t taken into account during planning of the rec grounds redevelopment, noting that it will cost about $235,000 to relocate, refurbish and rehabilitate the building.

“I’m going to be really blunt here. I think the unfortunate thing is this just did not get budgeted in the original master plan,” said Mayor Karen Sorensen, noting staff that are dealing with this were not necessarily part of that initial process.

“I don’t want to spend this money, but it should be part of the overall view of the rec grounds. At this point, let’s bite the bullet and put it where it needs to go and give it new life and protect it.”

Currently, sporting groups store equipment and supplies in the 1924 single storey building, which is one of only two remaining cabins in Banff that were part of the original Rundle campground. The other is the Middle Springs cabin.

The building at the rec grounds likely functioned as the administrative building for the campground. The windows, trim and logs are original, although the original front door has been replaced.

“Overall the building condition and integrity are considered very good,” said Amanda Arbuckle, recreation services manager for the Town of Banff, noting rehabilitation would include new electrical, porch, ramp and railing, wood burning stove, light fixtures, and exterior door.

Once relocated, the goal would be to make the cabin the permanent home of the municipality’s nature-based program, Into the Wild, which aims to foster and build children’s relationship to the outdoors, or other organizations like the Scouts and Girl Guides.

Arbuckle said the cabin’s current location is not ideal because it limits planned expansion of picnic areas and informal gathering spaces in that area.

She said the Into the Wild program has used the protection shelter at the rec grounds for the past two years, but this cabin could provide better permanent home for the growing nature-based program, especially during the colder months.

“The recreation grounds is the ideal space for this program, with access to forest and lots of open space to play and explore,” said Arbuckle, noting there is between 12 and 16 kids in the program.

Coun. Corrie DiManno voiced support for spending the money to relocate the cabin, noting heritage is a priority of this council.

“We’ll be asking some tough questions of our community to balance heritage with other demands,” she said.

“I think we need to be a leader and step up and protect this. We’re certainly not going to tear down a 100-year-old building.”

DiManno said she believed cabin was a good fit for the Into the Wild program.

“I think this is a great fit for this piece of history and it will have a nice little life,” she said.

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