Backgrounder associated with this News Release.
PARKDALE FIRE STATION
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, March 5, 2007 The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada cut the ceremonial ribbon at the Parkdale Fire Station to celebrate the rehabilitation and revitalization of the heritage property.
The owner of the building, Fire Station 11 Ltd., received $62,149 from Parks Canada through the Commercial Heritage Properties Incentive Fund (CHPIF). These funds were used to rehabilitate the building in order to make it commercially viable. The owner renovated the original fire truck garage for use as a massage therapy clinic and a cooking school and culinary venue, with the second floor firefighters' quarters used as an advertising office and studio.
"Canada's New Government is proud to participate in the revitalization of the Parkdale Fire Station," said Minister Baird. "As a lifelong resident of Ottawa, I understand the importance of preserving and protecting the history of this great city, not just for this generation, but for future generations."
The Parkdale Fire Station was designated a municipal heritage site in 1996. Built in 1923, the building was used as a fire station until 1986, after which it housed a food bank and artists' studios and galleries. The building reflects the pre-1930 period when the Ottawa fire department was evolving from an early 19th century firehouse into a modern professional fire department. The Parkdale Fire Station is the first project to be completed under the CHIPF program.
"Through this initiative, Canada's New Government is working with private industry to preserve and rehabilitate our nation's historic places, bring them back to life, and return them to commercial viability," added Minister Baird.
"Parks Canada's financial, technical and heritage assistance has been extremely important in making the property a proud addition to our commercial portfolio," concluded Mr. Alan Whitten, owner of the property. "We are thrilled to have benefited from this important initiative."
CHPIF is part of the Historic Places Initiative, which has involved the federal, provincial and territorial governments working collaboratively to create new tools and support mechanisms for the preservation of Canada's heritage properties, including the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada, the Canadian Register of Historic Places and the CHPIF certification program. Details of the initiative are posted on Parks Canada's Web site at www.pc.gc.ca.
Information:
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Joanne Huppé
Media relations
Parks Canada
819 953-8699
Michel Pelletier
National Historic Site Directorate
Parks Canada
819 953-5086
