It’s been several months since Athabasca FCSS vacated the old Brick School, leaving the landmark building empty. Since then, both Athabasca town and county councils have pushed the question of the building’s future to the furthest of back burners.
At issue is whether or not the building should be registered as a provincial historical resource. If it is, provincial grants can be accessed towards its maintenance, but the cost of that maintenance rises sharply to comply with provincial heritage standards. If it’s not registered, the maintenance requirements are less, but there would be no provincial assistance with the cost.
Meanwhile, time marches on and the iconic Brick School falls further into disrepair.
There is clear public consensus that the Brick School ought to be maintained. And while the respective councils face a difficult decision, all these months of stalling and foot-dragging is inexcusable.
Both councils need to make the future of the Brick School a priority item, with opportunities for public input if need be. If they’re not comfortable with the taxpayer footing the bill, perhaps an alternative may emerge from the public. But they need to be asked.
Either way, the Brick School is too important to our community’s history to be left to rot much longer.
