Cameron School gains historic designation
Crowsnest Pass council designated the Cameron School property as a Municipal Historic Resource during its June 9 regular meeting, while also advancing a road closure bylaw and hearing updates from council members on recent community events.
Council passed second and third readings of Bylaw 1270, 2026, which designates the Cameron School property under the Historic Resources Act.
Chief administrative officer Patrick Thomas told council the landowner applied for the designation and required notifications had been completed. He said the property is identified as having character defining elements in the Crowsnest Pass heritage management plan inventory.
Thomas said the municipality currently has six designated Municipal Historic Resources.
Mayor Pat Rypien asked whether the designation would prevent the owner from doing work on the property. Thomas said the designation protects certain character defining elements but can also make provincial funding available to help offset preservation costs.
“It’s a trade-off. You can get some funding and there are some restrictions on what you can and can’t change,” said Thomas.
He said some parts of the property may not be considered historically significant, which could allow for more extensive renovations in those areas.
Rypien said she was pleased to see the property moving toward improvements.
“It’s wonderful that it’ll be cleaned up. It’s a mess down there,” said Rypien.
Councillor Dean Ward asked whether owners signing on to historic designation also sign a waiver releasing the municipality from liability for loss of value. Councillor Doreen Glavin referred to the council report and noted the landowner signed a waiver of compensation on March 17.
Council carried second and third readings of the bylaw.
Council also passed second and third readings of Bylaw 1247, 2025, a road closure bylaw involving a portion of undeveloped municipal lane.
Thomas said the closure is intended to address an accessory building encroachment into the municipal lane. The bylaw had previously received first reading and was sent to the minister for approval before returning to council.
Councillor Doreen Johnson asked how the sale of municipal land was handled and whether nearby property owners were offered access to the land.
Thomas said the sale had come before council previously and the issue came forward through a land sale process after an encroachment was identified. He said the lane is undeveloped and would not be extended west because of topography.
Johnson also asked how the closure affected fire protection access.
“We would never put a fire truck in a narrow lane,” said Thomas.
Council reports focused largely on recent community events, including the Seniors Week luncheon, the community barbecue, Lemonade Day and the Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra centennial.
Ward said the Seniors Week luncheon was excellent and thanked the volunteers involved. He also reported on a landfill meeting, saying the landfill is running well, is financially stable and is looking at purchasing new equipment. He said the Municipal Planning Commission had a light agenda, with a few development permits and one small subdivision.
Johnson said she also attended the Municipal Planning Commission meeting and helped at the community barbecue, where she said Lions Club volunteers wrapped about 1,300 hamburgers.
She thanked municipal staff member Kim Lewis for her work on the event.
“She does such an awesome job,” said Johnson.
Rypien said she attended a Pass Powderkeg Ski Society meeting, the Seniors Week luncheon, a development appeal board hearing, the community barbecue and a Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting.
Councillor Darren Nastasi said the Seniors Week luncheon was his first and called it a good event. He also reported on landfill meetings and said new equipment is expected to come forward. Nastasi said Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee members are planning facility and park tours so newer members can see municipal sites.
Councillor Tony Vastenhout also thanked the Lions Club, municipal staff and Family and Community Support Services for their work at the community barbecue. He said about 700 hot dogs were also served during the event.
Glavin said the barbecue went well and noted Lemonade Day stands at the market. She said the municipality did not provide water at the event this year so people would be encouraged to support the young entrepreneurs selling lemonade.
She said the market was busy and the balloon animal station had a long lineup.
Rypien also spoke about serving as one of the judges for Lemonade Day. She said young entrepreneurs went through the process of getting a municipal business licence and developing their stands, products and presentations.
“Some very talented kids out there,” said Rypien.
Rypien also attended the Southwest Alberta Alliance annual general meeting at Heritage Acres, where member communities received small 25-year anniversary trophies.
She also emceed the Crowsnest Pass Symphony Orchestra centennial event, which she said was very well attended. Rypien said one of the highlights was the return of a 100-year-old violin to the orchestra by Kirk Muspratt, a longtime Crowsnest Pass resident who is now director and conductor of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra.
The violin had once been played when the orchestra was founded 100 years ago.
Council also accepted several items on the consent agenda, including minutes from the Municipal Historic Resource Advisory Committee, the Municipal Library Board, the Pass Powderkeg Ski Society and the Municipal Planning Commission.