|
Hanna society
buys historic roundhouse
reprinted from Drumheller
Mail (Pat Kolafa) December 12, 2013
 The
Hanna Roundhouse is getting a new lease on life as it enters the
next phase of its history.
The Hanna Roundhouse Society has been working on finding a way to
keep the landmark intact for future generations to enjoy. The
biggest stumbling block it had however was the ownership of the
icon.
This September all of that changed.
"We purchased the property on September 20," said Sandra Beaudoin
who has been working on the project for years.
She explained that a few years ago, she heard the round house was
purchased from CN by an individual who wanted to salvage the bricks
from the building. This was about 2009, and this was her awakening.
That is when she began to get involved.
"I could either sit back and say 'somebody should...' or see what I
could do," said Beaudoin.
A dedicated group began working on a number of initiatives and by
January of 2010, The Hanna Roundhouse Society was formed, and were
involved in looking after the safekeeping of the historical building
and structures.
They were successful on some fronts, but without ownership of the
property, they weren't able to do much.
The group recently came into some funds and was able to make it
their own. They purchased the building and area to the east which
includes the turntable and a foundation for a historic water tower.
The parcel is about nine acres.
The next step for the non-profit society is to have the site achieve
historical designation. The have completed the application, and this
week they met with Fraser Shaw, heritage consultant to assess and
evaluate the site.
"This is the start of getting it designated a historical site," said
Beaudoin.
The Hanna Roundhouse Society has a vision of restoring the icon so
it could be used for events or as a rental space, while at the same
time preserving its historical value.
Big Plans for
the Hanna Roundhouse
reprinted from Drumheller
Online (Codi Bangay) October 17, 2013
 The
Hanna Roundhouse Society has big plans for their recently acquired
1913 Canadian Northern Roundhouse.
While entering the UFA Get'n'Give $50,000, the volunteers of the
society are hoping to restore the century old building in order to
create a Community Cultural Centre.
President of the Hanna Roundhouse Society, Sandra Beaudoin, says "We
are trying to restore this building for future generations to be
able to appreciate and enjoy."
One of the big plans the society has in store for the Roundhouse is
a Halloween walk that they have planned for October 25 from 6:00
p.m. to 10:00 p.m. They are also considering a bonfire with ghost
stories and hot chocolate for the same evening.
In the future, the Hanna Roundhouse Society is hoping to add a
locomotive into the building and get their turntable working,
turning a portion of the building into a museum. The other portion
is to be the Community Centre.
For more information about the Hanna Roundhouse Society's project,
you can check out their facebook page.
News articles related to Canadian Northern / GTP /Canadian
National Railway heritage:
News article: Hanna Roundhouse celebrates new
beginnings
(ECAReview Oct.2013)
News article: Big Valley station banks on
restored roof
(Stettler Independent Apr.2013)
Blog: Big Valley Canadian Northern Station
Celebrates 100 Years
(RETROactive Sept.2012)
Feature article: 6060 turns 66
(Red Deer Express Sept.2010)
News articles related to regional railway heritage preservation:
News article: Alberta railway stations get a
new lease on life
(AgCanada Nov.2013)
News article: Heritage projects share grant
funding
(Red Deer Advocate July 2013)
News article: Rail link effort chugging along
(Red Deer Advocate May 2013)
News article: Historic train station relocated
to Beiseker
(Rockyview Weekly July 2012)
News article: Track for historic railway tours
likely to be done by late summer
(Red Deer Advocate June 2011)
News article: Rail being laid for heritage
line
(Red Deer Advocate Sept.2010)
News article: Stettler group wants to convert
grain elevator into museum
(Red Deer Advocate May 2010)
News article: Train track wanted
(Red Deer Advocate May 2010)
News article: Major funding will restore rail
line to Donalda
(Stettler Independent Oct.2009)
Canadian Northern Railway in Central Alberta
(CNR)
- Camrose to Drumheller
Canadian Northern Western Railway Brazeau sub (CNR)
- Mirror to Red Deer and
Nordegg
Grand Trunk Pacific Railway in Central Alberta (CNR)
- Mirror to Three Hills
Rise and Fall of Passenger Rail in the C&E Corridor
Canadian National Railway Stations in Central Alberta
History of Railway Structures Used in Central Alberta
|
