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Local historic homeowners have access to updated conservation information

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(File photo)

Local historic homeowners can check out helpful tips and information about landing historical designation on the City of Lacombe's website.

"The Lacombe Heritage Committee wanted to increase awareness about the historic resources program that they have in place, and the Municipal Designation Program," said Daniel Becker, Lacombe Museum's executive director.

"They also wanted to increase the awareness of citizens about the $5,000 they could be eligible to receive if they designate their historic houses," he said.

"One of the things that was found to be kind of a hindrance was a lack of information pertaining to just general knowledge in identifying some issues with heritage homes. So they then worked with Cariou Conservation (Darryl Cariou) and they applied for a grant through the Alberta Real Estate Foundation to draw up this maintenance guide, which gives a simplified run-down of the major areas and terms (involved)," he explained.

"One of the major hindrances I have observed is the misconception regarding the program (itself)," he said.

Under the guidelines for 'Designating and Restoring a Historic Resource' on the City's web site, it's noted that once a owner has location designated"

- A site/building cannot be demolished
- Inappropriate changes cannot occur, and any alterations must be in character with the original structure
- The site will be maintained in a fair to good condition
- Any modifications, restoration, or rehabilitation to the character-defining elements must have approval prior to work being started
- A caveat will be placed on the property title
- The site becomes eligible for incentives at various government levels

Becker noted that there are  misconceptions about some of the guidelines, particularly when it comes to changes and modifications to the site in question.

"A lot of times when the owner gets the site designated, they will have a walk-through with a representative from the committee."

Features of the building that are the most relevant to its historic nature will be noted. Those are the specific elements that need to be preserved, like an original staircase, for example. But some folks have a misconception that they cannot change anything about the given building.

 But it's actual more flexible than that, he said.

"It's not as rigid as people think."

According to the City's web site, "Lacombe’s efforts to maintain and preserve its unique collection of not only commercial but also residential historic properties began in earnest in the early 1970s. The Canadian Inventory of Historic Buildings (CIHB) conducted the first official survey of Lacombe’s heritage buildings in 1972.

"Fifteen years later, Lacombe became one of the first communities in Alberta to benefit from the provincial government’s Alberta Main Street Program.

Ultimately, Becker said Lacombe is unique in its overall commitment to preserving its architectural history. Another unique feature of the municipality is the vision of the local committee to guide this preservation process in general.

"In other communities, it's (done) though a lot of community-led programs," he said.

"It's very interesting that the Lacombe municipality has taken a very strong stance of saying, 'We will support you, we will give funds, and we will help you'.  But it's also about the local owners as well - they are very interested in preserving the history, too."

For further information, visit the Heritage Resources section under the City of Lacombes's website.

 

 

 

 



Mark Weber

About the Author: Mark Weber

I've been a part of the Black Press Media family for about a dozen years now, with stints at the Red Deer Express, the Stettler Independent, and now the Lacombe Express.
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