Thread by @Paulatics

A lot of people have asked why I haven't spoken out more publicly about the plight of the beautiful & historic Ring Houses on the University of Alberta campus. After all, as a newspaper columnist, I was a very public advocate of heritage preservation. But now - I'm a senator.

And that's a differnt role. As a columnist, it was my job to be a frank and outspoken catalyst for community debate. And I raised a stink about all kinds of heritage buildings that I fought to save. Some stories had happy endings. No column of mine saved a building. But...

Often times, conversations I provoked inspired others to step in. When I travel #yeg and see buildings such as the old Molson Brewery, or the old Bay Building (Enterprise Square) or the old McDougall United Church, I rejoice to see the splendid buildings we came together to save.

When I drive/bike/walk past the sites of the buildings I couldn't save, such as the Lieutenant-Governor's residence, the Central Pentacostal Tabernacle, or Sylvancroft, I get sad and angry all over again.

So yes, I'm not happy with the university's Ring House plans. But I also know that the U of A is under extraordinary financial pressures. And as a senator, I am wary of the optics of telling the university what it should and shouldn't do, when it comes to heritage preservation.

But as sad as I am about the prospect of losing the lovely Ring Houses, with all their history and all their classic architecture, I'm also worried about other notable buildings in the university's care. Where will the money come to preserve them?

I'm thinking about Dyde House - the modernist masterpiece created by Arthur Erickson. It is a stunningly important piece of Canada's architectural heritage and it belongs to the U of A. What plans are we making, as a community, to protect and preserve it? edmontonjournal.com/business/real-…

I'm thinking about Soaring, the $27 million modernist mansion and estate atop the North Saskatchewan, left as a gift to the U of A by the Mactaggart. What steps are we taking now to save it from being left to go to ruin?

It's unfair to ask the University of Alberta, which is caught in a financial vise, to shoulder the responsbility of caring for these heritage legacies all on its own. This is a time when the university administration needs to put the needs of students and researchers first. But..

That's why we all need to put our heads together - to think of ways federal, provincial and municipal governments, and local donors, could partner with the university to protect these buildings now - before it's too late. Is it too late for the Ring Houses? I hope not. But...

Rather than casting blame, or crying over spilt milk, I want to see if there are ways we can summon our collective will, to preserve our collective heritage - now, so that we have it in the future. edmontonjournal.com/business/comme…

So. That's some sobering second thought from me. I'm not writing for a newspaper any more and I no longer enjoy the columnist's bully pulpit. But...I hope I can find allies across our city and province to help brainstorm new solutions to saving old friends.

This is a hard time for so many Albertans & so many Alberta institutions. Money is scarce. And needed for so many vital urgent things. Protecting architecture may not seem a top priority. But even in financial crisis, we can't forget our duty to protect the past -for our future.