Then & Now Final Edition

• Published in: Calgary herald
• Main Author: Norma Marr, Carolyn Ryder and Christine Hayes
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Calgary, Alta Postmedia Network Inc 06.10.2004
• ISSN: 0828-1815

THEN: This impressive classical building, named for the royal Scottish castle, was the last of the sandstone schools built in Calgary and one of the most expensive at nearly $250,000. Constructed in 1913 and originally designed as an elementary school, it was ready for students in September 1914. It also accommodated high school students under principal William Aberhart until Crescent Heights High School opened in 1929. Old City School Is Condemned And Pupils Sent Home: Owing to the present dangerous condition of the old Central school, A.T. Jewitt, secretary-treasurer of the school board, and T.B. Kidner, superintendent of technical education, paid a visit of inspection this morning and found the school in a very unsatisfactory state. The furnace has burned out and there are a number of holes in the pipes thereby filling the school rooms with smoke and making teaching an impossible task. There is real danger of fire, and the authorities have taken such a serious view of the matter that Dr. Scott, superintendent of schools, paid a visit to the school after he heard the report of Messrs. Kidner and Jewitt, and ordered the pupils home. There are at present 410 pupils in the new Central school and 156 pupils in the old one, and it has been impossible for the boys and girls in the old one to be transferred to the school owing to lack of space. Photo: Courtesy, Calgary Public Library / Balmoral School, opened in 1914, was named for the Royal Family's castle in Scotland. William Aberhart, later the Social Credit premier of Alberta, was once principal of Balmoral School.; Photo: Lorraine Hjalte, Calgary Herald / Balmoral, once facing closure due to declining enrolment, got a new lease in 2002. It now houses students for an alternative education program.