Banff Elementary School combines nature with education
By Cindy Chan
T
he construction of Banff Elementary School was inspired by its scenic views and mountain location.
classroom wing. Several years
begin with; it had seven different
later the Government of Alberta
levels, which made it very difficult
approved the funding for Phase
for handicap access. We couldn’t
2 of the new replacement school,
open up spaces as well, as all the
which built the remaining of the
walls were load-bearing cinder
According to Ken Riordon, a
new school (gym, classrooms,
block. We ran a cost analysis and
now retired project manager for
community spaces). Then the
out of the approved modernization
Canadian Rockies Public Schools,
existing school was demolished.
funding, 75 per cent would be used
Banff Elementary School was built
The work occurred under two
up just bringing the school up to
in 1956. It was originally due for a
contracts – Phase 1 was built by
current code requirements, leaving
modernization; instead, it became
Eton West and Phase 2 was built
little else for mechanical, electrical
a replacement school project with
by Clark Builders. The building was
and architectural upgrades, which
two phases.
designed, however, all at once by
was the main purpose for the
GEC to ensure they could get the
modernization to begin with.
The Government of Alberta approved a modernization to the existing school, but after
relevant approvals (development permit, Parks Canada, etc.) in place.
“We conducted a value assessment session with Alberta Education,
analysis it was deemed that a
“The major reason [for the
Alberta Infrastructure, the Town of
replacement school was a better
modernization] was that we had
Banff, the school board, architects
solution, Gillian Carr, associate
to decant (empty the school of
and community members,” Riordon
architect at GEC Architecture,
students) for a year,” Riordon
continues. “The end result was
says. The modernization funding
says. “We searched but there was
to build Phase 1 of a replacement
was put toward Phase 1 of the new
nowhere we could house over 400
school, while keeping the old
replacement school, which built a
students elsewhere. Other than
one operational, and apply for
new administration suite and new
that, it was not designed well to
funding for Phase 2, which was
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FACILITY FOCUS • Fall 2020
