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Denike Block officially designated as a Municipal Historic Resource

Lacombe City council passed a bylaw, which officially designates the building known as the Denike Block (5012 50 Ave.) as a Municipal Historic Resource under the Province of Alberta Historical Resources Act.
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A sign on the Denike Block which describes the building’s history. Mark Weber/Lacombe Express

Lacombe City council passed a bylaw, which officially designates the building known as the Denike Block (5012 50 Ave.) as a Municipal Historic Resource under the Province of Alberta Historical Resources Act.

“The Denike Block is of significant historical importance for our community,” Mayor Grant Creasey said. “This designation ensures the building will remain protected in our community for years to come. I want to thank the current owner of Denike Block and the Heritage Resources Committee (HRC) for their diligent work towards preserving the legacy of this building.”

The Denike Block is a notable building located on 50th Ave. in downtown Lacombe. It was constructed in 1913 by a local jeweler and watchmaker, C.R. Denike. on lands he purchased from a local businessperson, Frank McLear. Denike occupied the main floor retail space and initially leased the upper floor to the Town Registrar, Perry Pratt.

The building is significant as part of a grouping of early Edwardian commercial buildings in the City, that has been very well preserved. This building is valued as part of a distinct and consistent Lacombe style of architecture that dominates the downtown commercial core.

The Denike Block has retained many of its original features and is one of the better-preserved buildings in Lacombe’s downtown core. In 2020, the present owner undertook major foundation upgrades at the rear of the building to ensure the structural integrity of the building, as well as some other renovations such as the cleaning, reversal, and reinstallation of the original bricks.

“Members of the HRC toured the Denike block earlier this year and saw the inspiring product of significant dollars the owner invested into critically needed structural work,” HRC Chair Myles Chykerda said. “We are grateful that Ms. Downton recognized the historical value and beauty of the Denike and moved forward with the designation. With this protection in place, the building will continue to be a treasured part of Lacombe’s historic downtown for years to come.”

The following buildings/ structures have been previously designated as Municipal Historic

Resources:

• St. Andrew’s United Church (2013)

• Lacombe Blacksmith Shop (2015)

• Young Residence (2016)

• Urquhart/ Kanngiesser Building (2016)

• Michener House (2016)

• Lacombe Cenotaph, Lest We Forget Park (2016)

• Fraser MacDonald Building (2017)

• Flatiron Building (2021)

• Trimble Residence (2022)

The City’s Heritage Resource Committee is working to update the existing Municipal Heritage Survey and the Heritage Inventory contained in the Management Plan. These documents identify buildings in the community that are 50 years or older or may have heritage significance.

The update will consider any buildings or sites that were previously not listed and could be added due to age or historical interest. Work is now underway with a summary of the public engagement feedback and a final report coming back to City Council before year-end.

For more on the City’s Heritage Preservation Program, visit

https://www.lacombe.ca/242/Heritage-Preservation-Program.