The Wheeler House came crashing down earlier this week.
Built in 1920 by Arthur Oliver Wheeler, a surveyor and one of the founders of the Alpine Club of Canada, the Craftsman-style bungalow, also known as Claremount House, was demolished, Monday (Jan. 17).
John Rose, asset manager for Banff National Park, said demolition occurred after hazardous material, specifically lead paint and asbestos used in the heating system and ductwork, was removed the previous week.
“That was taken care of first and in the proper manner. Those materials will be taken to an appropriate waste facility,” Rose said.
The rest of the material will be taken to the Francis Cooke Class III Landfill east of Exshaw.
While masonry steps and landings were removed, Rose said the foundation, which will be backfilled, would remain.
“The top of the foundation will be left exposed so it will be quite evident what the footprint of the building was. The site will be remediated if there is any damage done by the equipment and then it will be left as a green site,” Rose said.
To access the site, crews cleared fallen trees and installed a culvert at the junction of Mountain Avenue. The culvert will be removed in spring after site remediation.
The work took a total of three weeks, Rose said.
Parks has had plans to demolish the house, a federally listed heritage building, for 15 years as part of an agreement to build the Middle Springs subdivision.
