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Scrap the old terminal?
Heritage assessment not required, but airport's architecture has defenders
A HERITAGE assessment planned for Richardson International Airport's passenger terminal has been cancelled, paving the way for the demolition of the architecturally significant structure when the airport's new terminal opens in 2010.
In April, the Winnipeg Airports Authority planned to assess the historic and artistic value of its 45-year-old glass-and-steel terminal, which academics consider a rare and robust example of mid-century modern design.
But the formal review was cancelled when the private corporation learned it was not subject to rules that require federally owned buildings to undergo heritage assessments, WAA spokeswoman Christine Alongi said.
The authority now plans to tear down the existing terminal and find a new home for the two massive artworks at either end of the structure: Eli Bornstein's Structuralist Relief in Fifteen Parts and John Graham's Northern
Lights.
"We withdrew from the process, because we were advised it was not under Treasury Board policy," said Alongi, explaining that the WAA -- not Transport Canada -- effectively owns the terminal through a long-term lease.
Since no private-sector proposal to re-use the terminal has come forward, demolition will likely proceed in 2010 or 2011.
"Our business plan was always to utilize that private space," Alongi said. "If there was a business that wanted to utilize that space and put in the capital funding, that would interest us."
Right now, the only proposal for the space is a Western Canada Aviation Museum plan to build a new museum on the terminal site, which the airports authority won't need following the completion of its new, $672-million expansion. The expansion includes a new terminal designed by Cesar Pelli, whose credits also include the Petronas Towers in Malaysia.
The Ottawa-based Canadian Heritage Foundation is now vowing to fight herit- the demolition, at least to the point of demanding the WAA conduct a heritage assessment.
"Even though they're not obligated to do this, they are leasing one of the most significant modern buildings in Canada," said foundation spokeswoman Carolyn Quinn.
"In order to make the best and most informed decision about the future of the airport, having that assessment in front of them would make the most sense."
In 2008, the Canadian Heritage Foundation placed the Richardson terminal on its "Top 10 most endangered places" list. Along with airports in Toronto, Edmonton and Gander, N.L., the terminal "was built as part of a nationwide program to show Canadians and the world -- through the creation of striking architecture -- that Canada was a forward- thinking, cosmopolitan nation," the foundation maintains.
University of Winnipeg art history professor Serena Keshavjee, an expert in modern architecture, said every aspect of the terminal building, from the massive artworks down to the furniture design, was intended to push artistic boundaries.
"That building was extremely highquality, by international standards. It was cutting-edge at the time," she said, adding a respectful renovation during the 1980s maintained the building's character. "It's hard for people to realize these modern buildings are heritage buildings. It's hard to realize buildings built within our lifetime are important."
The fate of the Bornstein and Graham artworks also concern Keshavjee, as few Winnipeg buildings are large enough to store the sprawling murals.
Like the Canadian Heritage Foundation, she's urging a stay of execution for the terminal. Its sister building in Toronto has been demolished and the Edmonton terminal has been renovated beyond recognition.
"If we tear it down, we'll be sorry in a couple of years," she said.
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