BANFF HERITAGE CORPORATION MEETING AGENDA Banff Park Museum 91 Banff Ave, Banff, AB Thursday, January 28 th, 2015 at 1:30p.m 1.0 CALL TO ORDER 2.0 APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3.0 ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING MINUTES 3.1 Minutes of the December 10 th, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Banff Heritage Corporation 4.0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4.1 Request for Motion: Proposed Reconstruction of the Frank Lloyd Wright Pavilion at the Banff Recreation Grounds 5.0 NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Update: Request for Decision - Heritage Reserve Fund 5.2 Update: Designation of the Bow River Bridge 5.3 Update: Walking Tour Brochure Reprint 5.4 Update: Application YCW Heritage Intern for Summer 2016 6.0 REPORTS: 6.1 Review of Heritage Corporation Project Plan 2016 7.0 CORRESPONDENCE 8.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING 8.1 The next regular meeting of the Banff Heritage Corporation is scheduled for Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 1:30p.m, Ted Langridge Room, Town of Banff 9.0 ADJOURNMENT cc: Roland Charpentier, Chair (Ex-Officio Member) Jennifer Laforest, Planner Larry Pearson (Ex-Officio Member) Darren Enns, Senior Planner Chip Olver, Council Representative Randall McKay, Manager of Planning and Development Steve Malins, Parks Canada Representative Kerry MacInnis, Administration Rosanna Maunder, Public Member Rev. George Belcher, Public Member Susanne Gillies-Smith, Public Member Anita Crosby-Battrum, Honorary Committee Member Agenda prepared by: Kerry MacInnis
Regular Meeting of the Banff Heritage Corporation Thursday, December 10, 2015 Page 9 Unapproved January 28, 2016 Agenda Item #3.1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BANFF HERITAGE CORPORATION of the Town of Banff in the Province of Alberta Abegweit 136 Bow Avenue, Banff, AB Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. CORPORATION MEMBERS PRESENT Chip Olver Council Representative Susan Kennard Parks Canada Representative (Vice-Chair) Herb MacAulay Public Member JS Public Member Anita Battrum Honorary Public Representative CORPORATION MEMBERS ABSENT Roland Charpentier Alberta Association of Architects (Chair) Larry Pearson Alberta Culture Representative Rev. George Belcher Public Representative Susanne Gillies Smith Public Representative Rosanna Mauder Public Member Steve Malins Parks Canada Representative (alternate) MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC PRESENT ADMINISTRATION PRESENT Jennifer Laforest Development / Heritage Planner Randall McKay Manager of Planning and Development (2:05pm) Darren Enns Senior Planner Kerry MacInnis Admin. Assistant, Planning/Recorder 1.0 CALL TO ORDER HER15-19 Laforest called the regular meeting of the December 10, 2015 Banff Heritage Corporation to order at 1:34 p.m. 2.0 APPROVAL OF AGENDA HER15-20 Moved by Kennard to approve the December 10, 2015 Banff Heritage Corporation agenda as presented. 3.0 ELECTION OF HERITAGE CORPORATION CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR HER15-21 Moved by Olver to nominate Charpentier as Chair of the Banff Heritage Corporation for the 2015/16 term. Minutes approved by:
Regular Meeting of the Banff Heritage Corporation Thursday, December 10, 2015 Page 10 Unapproved January 28, 2016 Agenda Item #3.1 HER15-22 Moved by Olver to nominate Kennard as Vice-Chair of the Banff Heritage Corporation for the 2015/16 term. 4.0 ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES HER15-23 Moved by Kennard to approve the minutes of the September 3, 2015 Banff Heritage Corporation meeting as presented. 5.0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS No unfinished business. 6.0 NEW BUSINESS 6.1. Update: Motion by Councillor Olver for Increase to Heritage Reserve Fund Verbal update provided by Olver. Unfortunately, the increase in the heritage reserve fund has not been approved by council. However, the issue has been brought to council s attention and now it is on the corporation to bring back a report to council on this. Laforest - target Q1 2016 for administration to bring a report back to council on funding for the heritage reserve fund and the value of the resources in our town. Once a report is written, Laforest will look at dates to hold a meeting with council on this topic. 6.2. Update: Banff Elementary School Development Permit Application Enns provided a verbal update (with handouts) on the proposed redevelopment of the Banff Elementary School. Olver suggested that a plaque should be erected at the new school sign. 6.3. Proposed 2016 Heritage Corporation Meeting Schedule Laforest included in this agenda package a proposed heritage corporation meeting schedule. HER15-24 Moved by Kennard to accept the proposed heritage corporation meeting schedule as attached in these meeting minutes. 6.4. Update: Heritage Walking Tour Reprint Laforest provided a brief update on the walking brochure. McKay will find out later this week/next week to see if Banff Lake Louise Tourism will be contributing financially to this reprint. Minutes approved by:
Regular Meeting of the Banff Heritage Corporation Thursday, December 10, 2015 Page 11 Unapproved January 28, 2016 Agenda Item #3.1 Laforest, McKay and MacAulay will have a separate meeting to review the accuracy of the content of the walking brochure and make any edits that are needed prior to reprint. HER15-25 HER15-26 Motion by Kennard that the Banff Heritage Corporation ask Banff Lake Louise Tourism for funding of the Heritage Walking Tour Brochure and to approve the reprint of the Heritage Walking Tour Brochures, make the necessary text edits prior to printing and to spend $3400 to have 7000 copies of the Heritage Walking Tour brochure printed. Motion by Kennard that the Banff Heritage Corporation proceed with making text changes/update the Tanglewood Button/Plaque and spend the money necessary to correct this. 6.5. Update: Banff Avenue Bridge Designation Laforest provided a brief update on the Banff Avenue Bridge; the bridge is owned by the province and as such, if the bridge needs repair/replacement, the province would cover the cost however, there is nothing saying that the province would replace/repair with heritage in mind or what we/town may want. If the municipality decides to designate the bridge, the province could say that the town is now responsible for the entire bridge (repair, replacement, etc). Having an asset like this, would have an implication on our limited reserve fund. The character defining elements are predominately 1986 replicas (not original elements). MacAulay doesn t believe that the bridge would be able to be designated by the province. It would cost a great deal of money for the town to take ownership of the bridge. Alberta Transportation is responsible for the structure of the bridge. The Town s Engineering Team would do the surface maintenance, etc. Kennard asked if administration could investigate the possibilities of designating the bridge, the cost implications of fixing the character defining elements and any structural issues fixes cost. More information will be brought back to the Banff Heritage Corporation. 6.6. Update: We live in a postcard (2004) Battrum provided a brief update on the work that was completed last year. It is now at a standstill yet there is interest in the community to have an updated version (volume 2). MacAulay mentioned that there is also an interest in stories/lives of those who didn t have the chance to contribute to the We Live In A Postcard book. Also, there are groups on Facebook called Growing Up In Banff and on the web Encyclopedia of Banff History and Encyclopadia Banff History. MacAulay to ask these groups for Laforest and all corporation members to become part of these groups. Minutes approved by:
Regular Meeting of the Banff Heritage Corporation Thursday, December 10, 2015 Page 12 Unapproved January 28, 2016 Agenda Item #3.1 Kennard to forward the Canada 150 fund to Laforest. Laforest to explore this project and bring back a brief report to the Banff Heritage Corporation. 7.0 REPORTS 7.1. Heritage Corporation Project Plan 2016 Laforest suggested that the corporation review the printed materials attached with this meeting agenda and come back to the next meeting to discuss. 8.0 CORRESPONDENCE There was no correspondence. 9.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting of the Banff Heritage Corporation is scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. 10.0 ADJOURNMENT HER15-27 Moved by Olver to adjourn at 3:50 p.m. Susan Kennard Chair Kerry MacInnis Planning and Development Minutes approved by:
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BANFF PAVILLION Art Credit: Bill Ross, Illustrator Historical Architecture
Page - 2
Page - 3
Page - 4
Page - 5
Frank Lloyd Wright Banff Pavilion Revival Initiative Proposal 2015 Proposal September 2015 Prepared by: Poste Strategies & Michael Miner on behalf of the Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Initiative
OVERVIEW In 1911 the now, world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the Banff Pavilion, a visitor center commissioned by the Government of Canada. Undertaken in conjunction with Canadian architect, Francis Conroy Sullivan of Ottawa, the Pavilion was completed in 1914, serving the town for 25 years before its premature demolishment in 1939. The purpose of this proposal is to present a case for the resurrection of the Banff Pavilion, with the hope of securing approval from both Town Council and its residents for the recreation of this architectural treasure. Under the conditions of the federal land lease, authority to re-erect the Pavilion resides with the Town of Banff. As such, we are appealing to council, the community and other stakeholders for their support and collaboration in completing this project. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT REVIVAL INITIATIVE The Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Initiative aims to promote the legacy of this celebrated architect by rebuilding certain structures that, for various reasons, have been demolished. Over the course of Frank Lloyd Wright s life, Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built over 500 structures, many of which have become icons of design. They include The Guggenheim Museum, Fallingwater, the Frederick C. Robie House, the Johnson Wax Building and others. Just two Wright designs were ever built in Canada; only one remains the E. H. Pitkin Cottage in Ontario. The goal of the Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Initiative is to re-introduce certain Wright works back into their communities, thus honouring both the initial intent - as well as design - of the structures through their authentic recreation on their original sites. The Initiative lists a number of candidates to be re-built based on a building s utility, location, structural complexity and other criteria. Most importantly, structures have been nominated based on how clearly they exemplify the work and design ethos of Frank Lloyd Wright. Funding for the construction of the re-builds will be raised in full by the Initiative. Once complete, the buildings will be donated to their respective communities who can then determine a strategic plan for their use that most benefits, and best meet the needs, of their residents. Currently there are two Wright structures under consideration for the pilot project: the Banff Pavilion and the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Redding California. Priority has been given to the Banff Pavilion being a beautiful example of Wright s iconic Prairie School Style and the only public space built by him in Canada. Additionally, the Pavilion is relatively simple in construction and has the potential to benefit a broader community. Recognized worldwide for its natural grandeur and endorsement of the arts, the Town of Banff is also ideal for an installation by an architect of such renown. Frank Lloyd Wright Banff Pavilion Revival Initiative Proposal 2015 2
WHO IS FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, writer, and educator, who designed 532 completed structures. He is famous for many internationally acclaimed works, including Fallingwater, a house infamous for the waterfall, built into its design, and deemed the best all-time work of American architecture, Wright's "most beautiful job" by Time Magazine, and listed among Smithsonian's Life List of 28 places to visit before you die. He is also remembered for creating the popular Prairie School movement and developing the concept of the Usonian home, two styles which gained attention for breaking away, both from modernist and traditional design conventions. Wright s portfolio established him as an instrumental figure in American and international architecture. Although considered by some a modernist, he gained attention for his organic architectural style which is fundamentally different in philosophy. Modern architecture was driven by function, with a building s utility defining its importance - hence the term form follows function. To Wright, form and function were both equal and integrated in all aspects of his design, from the window glazing to ceiling patterns, furniture and even table settings. Today, Frank Lloyd Wright s work continues to inform and inspire as part of architectural curricula that examine the critical and influential impact he had on modern residential and organic design. Currently, 10 Wright structures are being considered for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Heritage List. 1 HISTORY OF THE BANFF PAVILION Frank Lloyd Wright and Francis Conroy Sullivan, Wright s only Canadian student, designed the Banff National Park Pavilion in 1911. Commissioned by the Department of Public Works for the National Parks Service of Canada, the original design was put forth by the community of Banff with Sullivan and Wright later hired to develop a more refined concept. Construction of the Pavilion began in 1913 and was finished the following year. Originally intended as a gathering area for visitors and community functions, completion of the Pavilion at the start of WWI saw it become a temporary quartermaster's store for the Department of Defence. After the war, the Pavilion assumed its intended role as a picnic area and shelter for park goers, drawing large summer crowds from Calgary and Southern Alberta. Built on the banks of the Bow River, the Pavilion was subject to flooding and frost heaving, leading to the decay of the wooden floor supports. In 1939, the structure was demolished. Although initially meeting with some resistance, the Pavilion became very popular and its demolition met with protest from residents, who d appreciated, and grown accustomed to the business it had generated. 1 U.S. Department of State. Media Note. 2015. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/01/237009.htm Frank Lloyd Wright Banff Pavilion Revival Initiative Proposal 2015 3
WHY REVIVE THE PAVILION The Banff Pavilion epitomizes Wright s renowned Prairie School Style marked by horizontal lines reminiscent of native prairie landscapes. This genre, which has defined the architect, has made its way into design-doctrine as a movement that shifted modernism towards organic architecture, a philosophy of design that harmonizes both the built and natural environment and creates an equality between form and function. Numerous samples of this characteristic style can be seen across the United States. However, the Pavilion was the only Prairie School Style structure in Canada. Reviving the Pavilion lends an opportunity to rebuild a work by one of the most recognizable architects in modern history whose influence in the field is still tangible today and whose work continues to be studied and admired. The Pavilion, having never been replicated, lends Banff an opportunity to reclaim this historic treasure and capitalize on the fame and reputation of an architectural legend. IMPORTANCE OF THE PAVILION TO BANFF Supporting arts and culture: Home to the Whyte Museum as well as the Banff Centre (a globally recognized institution for the creative arts) and proprietors of the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, the town of Banff is admired for more than its breathtaking landscape. Rebuilding a structure designed by one of the most famous architects of the 20 th century, would augment the town s reputation as an arts and cultural epicenter. Adding an attraction: Banff is a tourist town, renowned for its natural beauty, and dependent on the flow of national and international visitors throughout the year to sustain its economy. The Pavilion would become another point of interest for the town, becoming a strong draw for new visitors, particularly art and architecture enthusiasts, and appealing to current Banff devotees who appreciate the town for its historic charm. It would also make Banff the only destination in Canada with a Frank Lloyd Wright attraction. Reclaiming history: Banff s Registry of Recognized Heritage Resources is indicative of the town s commitment to preserve and protect landmarks of historical significance. Protected by this program are numerous properties that were built in the same era as the Pavilion. It is fair to say, having the advantage of such a registry during its existence, the Pavilion might still be standing today, adding to the historical record of architecture in Banff. CONSIDERATIONS Community Value: Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most distinguished architects of recent history. Given his esteem, Wright s work draws considerable public attention. As such, there is potential for the Pavilion to generate revenues to offset operational costs and even generate revenues for the proprietor. According to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Frank Lloyd Wright Banff Pavilion Revival Initiative Proposal 2015 4
annual visitors to Fallingwater brought in $5.6 million in revenue in 2013. 2 The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation reported $2.9 million in revenues from public tours and facility access in 2014. 3 Building Care: All Wright revival projects will be funded by the Initiative. However, they are collaborative projects and their ultimate success relies on municipalities not only embracing the revivals, but also making strategic decisions regarding uses that best serve their communities. Land Use: The original Banff Pavilion was situated in the recreational grounds south of the Bow River. Given the Pavilion is built in Wright s Prairie School Style, location is very important, as he would have considered the natural environment as part of the building s design. Building the Pavilion in its original location would be ideal but alternative sites could be entertained if necessary. Flood Mitigation: The original Pavilion was demolished due to neglect and structural damage caused by flooding. The area on which it stood, and could stand again, was originally a marshy area subject to flooding. Very heavy rains in 2013 flooded the site again, indicating that water control and changes in construction may be required to address these challenges. SUMMARY Frank Lloyd Wright is inarguably one of the most famous architects of modern times. His works are iconic and his design ethos continues to inspire art and architectural enthusiasts alike. The Frank Lloyd Wright Revival Initiative is seeking to preserve and promote the legacy of the famed architect through the recreation of selected structures that, for various reasons, have been demolished. The Pavilion is a beautiful example of Wright s iconic Prairie School Style. It is for this reason and others that it has been selected as the pilot project for the Initiative. Banff, being an international tourist attraction and hub for the arts and culture, is an ideal location for the rebuild. There is reciprocity in value however. Given the immense attention Frank Lloyd Wright s work draws, the Town stands to benefit from the traffic the Pavilion elicits. Additionally, a strategic building-use plan could see the Pavilion generating direct income that matches or even exceeds maintenance expenditures. It is the Initiative s hope that the Town recognizes the value of this project and grants opportunity for further discussion. 2 Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Financial Statements. 2013. http://waterlandlife.org/assets/audited-financial-statements- 2013.pdf 3 Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Financial Statements. 2014. http://franklloydwright.org/binary/uploaded/2014_final_fs_ FLW_91924.pdf Frank Lloyd Wright Banff Pavilion Revival Initiative Proposal 2015 5
Exterior Banff Pavilion Interior Banff Pavilion Frank Lloyd Wright Banff Pavilion Revival Initiative Proposal 2015 6