Once a hub of activity in the neighbourhood of South Calgary, the King Edward School now stands dormant atop its prominent outlook, on sale by the cash-strapped Calgary Board of Education. Classes ceased several years ago, the school’s doors are locked, and despite being an integral public institution for nearly 100 years, the future of this iconic sandstone structure is uncertain.

While interest in acquiring the school site has intrigued developers since its first public tender in 2007, several purchase attempts have fallen through. In part, this has been due to unfavourable community reaction towards proposals that are not sensitive to the school’s rich heritage. With the third tender deadline on Thursday, August 19, hopefully these new bids have plans that will enhance the community’s future.

Previous development schemes included demolishing the school to capitalize on escalating land value. Others wanted to build a private country club or flank the school with high-rise towers. The latest proposal involves reusing the sandstone building for condominiums, with much of the remaining open space to be developed into higher-density townhouses.

Absent from these proposals, however, is one that envisions a future for King Edward School that promotes public accessibility. So far, there has been no plan that would allow Calgarians to continue to walk its lofty old halls, to learn in the classrooms or to be inspired by those who have come before.

It’s easy to see King Edward School as a story of failing grades rather than one of inspiration. There’s failure by developers to envision a truly innovative reuse and failure of political means to protect an invaluable landmark. While the school is on both the city’s and province’s heritage inventory, no official designation has been secured. Demolition is still a possibility.

Yet, while the failures are obvious, a more optimistic view can be found. At a public talk this past spring, the city’s senior heritage planner, Daryl Cariou, said: “I always say, ‘Don't ask me if historic preservation in Calgary has been a failure, ask your great-great-grandchildren.’" As demonstrated by the failure to sell the King Edward, it appears that the will of the public may decide the school’s future. Can citizen action that supports public heritage and promotes collective community values exceed development based on mere economics?

Calgary is a bottom-line city. The key economic consideration will be finding the right mechanism for developers to recoup their investment. In recent projects, such as the historic Victoria School and the Arriva condo project in the Beltline, this has been addressed with density bonuses — allowing condominiums to soar to greater heights in exchange for heritage preservation.

Yet economics cannot be the only consideration.

Important issues are how preservation is understood and what the meaningful interpretation of public heritage is. In his book, Theatre/Archaeology, author and archeologist Michael Shanks says that when examining an archeological artifact it is essential to begin with the question “What does it do?” rather than asking “What is it?” From this perspective, a sandstone school is no longer viewed in isolation, as bricks and mortar, as a commodity or liability, but rather as an assemblage of actions that convey its true value.

So where does a citizen factor into the preservation equation within the synthesis of a built artifact and a cultural landscape?

Schools should be acknowledged as foundations for our communities — places of multigenerational engagement and venues for inquisitive learning and imaginative play. They are vital hubs for interaction and exchange, intimately connecting the past, present and futures of our city’s citizens.

In the early 1900s, Calgary’s optimism was showcased by investing in architecturally prominent schools. These landmarks were built with quarried sandstone from local hills for an emerging civic centre. Today, the city should work toward a more active use of this heritage; one that keeps its past intentions alive.

The complexity of this situation — the economics, the school’s heritage value, urban densification and desired open space — needs a unique solution. We need to imagine a future that exceeds the private use of a few condominium owners. In recent provincial and municipal reports, Calgary’s cultural infrastructure is reported deficient and unable to meet current demands. With an aging population, the need for cultural services will likely increase. Is there an opportunity with King Edward School to provide a place of exchange for insightful and innovative minds, regardless of age?

At the 125th anniversary of Banff National Park a few weeks ago, one parks representative referred to the park as “a gift to future generations.” In Banff, a philosophy of stewardship towards valuable heritage is embraced, where our children’s children can engage with a richer built and cultural landscape than we have today.

King Edward School can be adopted in this same manner and with the same care. Looking beyond the building as an artifact may help us see the true value and spirit captured in its stone walls. With determination by a community to ensure that city hall, developers and fellow citizens are listening, there is hope that the school’s future will be a golden legacy for all and not just for those who can afford a condo.