A visitors centre, an arts hub, classrooms, makers spaces, luxury apartments and musical get-togethers — all ideas were on the table at Athabasca's Old Brick School open house March 28.
Four representatives from Manasc Isaac Architects held the event at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex, drawing about 50 locals to share ideas to refurbish the iconic but old and almost-empty building.
Community member Mike MacLean — who is a member of the Athabasca Heritage Society and the local Lions Club — said he sees the potential for an "arts hub" in the community.
"I have no doubt that you could make a lot of different things happen in the space," he said.
On Dec. 3, The Town of Athabasca's motioned to proceed with a design and planning project with Manasc Isaac Architects at the helm. County council passed a motion to the same effect Dec. 11.
A $200,000 Intermunicipal Collaboration Grant from the province is funding the project, which will produce a design plan ready for grants, though not tenders.
MacLean said the open house and the ideas coming from it felt similar to the process the local library engaged in a few years ago.
"It's worthwhile to do it, because it does get people together and you start to hear everyone's ideas about the space," he said.
MacLean said for him, the connection with the Old Brick School open house and the library discussions was that conversation kept coming around to an "arts hub in the centre of town."
"With the theatre activity," he said. "With the fact that there's a seniors' centre that's also really active, and there's all kinds of functions going on there. There's the Legion happening. There's actually a lot going on at the United Church, for that matter."
Project manager Garth Crump said the open house was the fourth one with community members. He said the consultant had held workshops with the Old Brick School steering committee, community stakeholders and Athabasca County council.
"A few things were really great about it, (like) the consistency of ideas from this workshop to our previous three workshops," he said of the open house March 28.
MacLean said he just hopes that this discussion does not come around in a couple years, and that this process leads to action.
"We've had this burning question of how to use this beautiful, landmark building in town — it's fair to say iconic," he said. "I believe you can make it a viable space where, not necessarily generating revenue in the sense that it's adding to the coffers, but certainly a viable, self-sustaining activity, and I can see it tie into the arts and culture area."
County council visit
Manasc Isaac Architects also visited Athabasca County council March 28 looking for their ideas.
"After all the engagements are complete, we combine all the results and select the different options for what the Old Brick School will become," Crump said. "Whether it be an office or a meeting centre, we are still in the investigation stage."
Crump conducted two exercises with councillors, the first of which involved determining the building's value to the county and how to increase it. The values included continued community involvement, more people and a valuable community resources.
"Other ideas include tourism and economic development potential, as well as the historical significance about the building itself," Crump said. "Those two usually go together quite a bit."
For the second exercise, Crump said some ideas for the building includes a restaurant, commercial kitchen, art gallery, museum, tourist centre, art gallery or school board office.
Reeve Larry Armfelt said a space could be used to for cubicles and desks with computer hookups, which could then be rented out to community groups and small businesses
"There are also a number of clubs in the area that could use the space," he said.
— With files from Bryan Taylor
