Since 2009, the City of Lacombe has had the goal of documenting heritage resources in the community, and in that, created the Municipal Heritage Survey and a Municipal Heritage Inventory.
Through this, two community buildings have been designated as a Municipal Historic Resource - the St. Andrew’s United Church and the Lacombe Blacksmith shop. These inductions preserve and promote local heritage in the community, and the Heritage Resource Committee would like to designate the first residential home as a heritage building.
Jennifer Kirchner, planner for the City of Lacombe, said the home they would like to become a heritage site is located at 5450 49th Ave. in Lacombe, on the corner of C&E Trail and 49th Ave. The ‘Young Residence’ was built in 1948 for Ormiston and Margret Young, whose ownership has continued to remain in the family ever since.
“For many of you, this would not be the house that you first think of but it is over 50-years-old, it is a post-war bungalow,” Kirchner said. “It is very typical as to what would have popped up in Lacombe just after World War II ended. This house has essentially been in the same family since it was constructed and they have taken very good care of this building.”
The additions made to the building throughout the year, according to Kirchner, are an excellent example of how an addition can be added to the heritage building and still ,“Keep the integrity of the building.”
The one-storey bungalow is said to have colonial influences and is an early example of modern design that would have been popular in Lacombe just after the Second World War. It was popular with the middle class due to the affordability, modern style and comfort, according to Kirchner.
The Heritage Committee had a tour of this building on March 8th and talked with the owner about their future plans with the property, highlighting the additions that were done with the structure and maintenance goals.
After the initial tour, the committee met again on March 17th to go over the application for heritage recognition and supported the application, and with that, the committee is recommending the designation of the building as the first heritage home in Lacombe.
“If council is interested in proceeding, a Notice of Intent would need to be issued tonight that basically states that council intends to designate this property and move forward with designation,” said Kirchner.
The Notice of Intent provides a 60-day period where the owner can remove the application, but once the 60-day limit is over, council would assign the designation bylaw on June 13th.
Council was in support of this decision and issued the Notice of Intent. The designation bylaw will be brought back to council in June.
shelby.craig@lacombeexpress.com