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City races to save historic school in Elbow Park

CALGARY- The race is on to save one of the city’s most historical—and beloved—schools.

Elbow Park Elementary was hit hard during the June flood, as it is just across the street from the Elbow River.  Two wings on either side of the building are now settling apart from the main core.

“We are waiting for final engineering inspection reports, but our understanding is there is significant structural damage to the school, so we anticipate it might take a year or two [to repair],” says Frank Coppinger, the CBE’s Supt. Of facilities and environmental services.
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He adds they don’t plan on giving up on the building, which was built in 1926.

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“It has architectural significance, it’s well valued by the community, so it’s our desire to retain it if possible.”

More than 200 children attend the K-6 school, and are being displaced during repairs.

“I was almost in tears, because this is going to affect so many people,” says parent Cathy Eastwood. “Yes we could rebuild a school here, but it would change the whole character of the area, the beauty.

“The library in that building is like…a cathedral, it’s so beautiful.”

Nearby Rideau school also suffered damage in the floods, but should be ready for students by September.

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