Anglican church seeks to relocate to Lambert Park parking lot

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Eager to move forward with relocating the St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church off its current land and to a permanent location, the Western District Historical Society’s interest was piqued by the town-owned Lambert Park parking lot, and they approached town council for assistance to ensure the project will proceed in the fall.
The gravelled parking lot is in close vicinity to town amenities, in a downtown location, and proves to be cost effective – ideal conditions for the creation of a tourist information centre, and the society’s office and display area. However, the proposal, which hasn’t been discussed at the society’s full board level, raised some concerns among council regarding the loss of parking stalls, residents residing near by, future expansion, and a timeline.
“We think that the residents of the town will be pleased to see it staying within the downtown core and that it’s going to be in a lovely setting and that it will have a useful purpose and not just disappear out into a far-flung location permanently,” said Lynne Fair, member of the Western District Historical Society.
“We want to fulfill our obligations from receiving the $5,000 pitch funds so we hope to get the church moved as soon as possible. We’re presently investigating all available grant moneys, and we’ll be requesting corporate funding and donations in kind for any work done relating to this move … and needed to complete the project. We know there will be a lot of future expenses that will be accrued along the way, but until we secure a location we can’t proceed this fall.”
The society was the recipient of the $5,000 prize at the second annual Let’s Make a Pitch event in Strathmore in early June. The winnings will help to offset some of the financial load in moving the 105-year-old church that was purchased by the society to keep it within the town. Having been quoted $10,000 for the move, along with an additional $2,000 per beam to go underneath the structure, the insurance costs of the new location, and moving power lines, the society is pursuing the most inexpensive options. While moving the building directly into Lambert Park was previously discussed, the action would require the removal of trees and landscaping – adding further financial strain.
“It’s a lovely location in there, and we’re just trying to keep our expenses as minimal as possible,” said Fair. “Every tree you move, you have to re-landscape. We realize that would add on to the cost. That’s why the flat parking look just looked like an alternative. It just looks like we disrupt the least, and still be close where you would look onto the park but not disrupt the park.”
The church would take up an estimated two-thirds of the parking lot, which offers an accessible driveway and access to power, gas, and sewer. With enough available room for handicapped parking, further street parking, and nearby Kinsmen Park parking lot, the society doesn’t anticipate any issues where parking is concerned.
Administration is in the process of contacting the citizens residing in the Lambert area.
During their delegation on Aug. 19, the society was hoping to receive town assistance either through survey plans, engineering expertise, accessing nearby utilities, or any other logistical ways.
Administration was interested in discussing the options, especially with the fall workshop inching closer, and said they will find out who can perform a geotechnical study and the associated costs.
“I’m really grateful that I’ve been able to be here when this exciting activity is happening, wherever the church winds up,” said Councillor Denise Peterson. “In order to be able to have an office for the Western District Historical Society is going to be a great beginning. I have huge hopes for what it can do not just for the museum in the future, but also for the downtown to have it as an office for the historical society, a tourist information booth, a wedding destination, a small tea house, a place that can employ seniors through proposed grants. I think it’s a wonderful, wonderful thing.”
The grass-roots committee has met for over two years discussing strategic planning and advice from experts at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary. By acquiring the Strathmore’s Anglican Church, the society hopes to incorporate it into their plans of creating a museum, and possibly establishing an even greater vision of a Strathmore Historic Park.
When asked about his opinion regarding the situation and a time-frame, Reverend Bryan Beveridge urged council to make a decision sooner than later.
“The longer this is delayed the longer of an effect it has on the congregation,” said Beveridge. “I was brought in here in semi-retirement to move them from a temporary location to a new building and a new church home. So every week that this hangs, it just holds us back probably two to four weeks.”
The issue will be brought back to council chambers at the next meeting on Sept. 2.