National Trust Releases 2014 Top Ten Endangered Places and Worst Losses Lists

The National Trust Releases 2014 Top Ten Endangered Places and Worst Losses Lists

OTTAWA, ON – July 17, 2014 - Heritage Canada The National Trust has released its Top Ten Endangered Places and Worst Losses Lists drawing attention to historic places in Canada either threatened or already lost as part of its mission to raise awareness of the value that historic places bring to quality of life, local identity and cultural vitality.  

The Endangered Places List, compiled from nominations received as well as from news items the National Trust has been following and reporting on throughout the year includes (from north to west to east):

• Robertson Headframe, Yellowknife, NT—city reluctant to secure future of a towering symbol of the region’s gold mining heritage
• Vancouver West Side Character Homes and Gardens, Vancouver, BC —unfavourable zoning, high land prices and investor speculation are turning West Side Vancouver’s historic homes into “demo bait.”
• Paramount Theatre, Edmonton, AB—listed Mid-Century modern gem in the way of yet another tower development
• Petrie Building, Guelph, ON—lack of investment leaves a once stunning and unique downtown landmark suffering from neglect
• GTR Locomotive Repair Shops, Stratford, ON—a massive industrial structure may be sent to landfill despite creative suggestions for adaptive reuse
• Nor’Wester Mountain Range and Loch Lomond Watershed Reserve, Neebing, ON—proposed site of industrial wind turbine development threatens pristine cultural and natural landscape
• Estate of the Pères de Sainte-Croix, Notre-Dame-du-Bel-Air, Lac Simon, QC—new owner of extraordinary cultural landscape trying to circumvent heritage bylaw 
• St. Alphonsus Church, Victoria Mines, NS—survival of one of area’s most scenic churches depends on community’s ability to fundraise and a Diocese willing to support their efforts
• Gander International Airport Departures Lounge, Gander, NL—the most important modernist room in Canada faces imminent destruction due to high operating costs and reduced passenger traffic 
• Federally-owned lighthouses, Canada – many important historic lighthouses across the country are deteriorating despite heritage legislation

Click Backgrounder for the full story and photographs.

This year’s Worst Losses lists four heritage buildings destroyed by fire and the wrecking ball: Point Aconi Lighthouse, Cape Breton, NS; Criddle/Vane House near Shilo, MB; Montreal’s Redpath Mansion; and the Halifax Infants’ Home.

Click Worst Losses for more information.

For further information:
Carolyn Quinn, Director of Communications
cquinn@heritagecanada.org
Telephone: 613-237-1066 ext. 229; Cell: 613-797-7206