Now 100 years old and a hub of artistic and cultural activity in Smithers, it was the town's first courthouse and its first municipally-designated heritage building.
But the Central Park building almost didn't survive to celebrate its 100th anniversary this year.
When the Province decommissioned the building in 1974, ownership transferred to the town and it became home to the Bulkley Valley Museum and Smithers Art Gallery. Prohibitive maintenance and operating costs, though, led to bitter disputes and the council of the day was ready to have the provincial government come in and raze the building to the ground.
Mayor Gordon Williams, however, wanted to preserve it. As mayor, he had the power to bring the matter back for another vote within 30 days. Aided by a letter to the editor by Tom Havard and the public outcry that followed, council reversed its decision on the second vote.
“I think [the letter] carried quite a bit of weight,” Williams told The Interior News in 2012. “People saw it as a landmark for Main Street and didn’t want to see it disappear.”
It did not disappear and, in 1981, the council led by Carman Graf decided to permanently preserve it with heritage status.
That didn't solve the problem of maintenance and operating costs, however, and, in 1982, the fire commissioner closed the building to the public. It was able to reopen, though, following myriad fundraisers and volunteer efforts that allowed for major repairs.
More renovations followed from 2010 to 2012 with $140,000 in town and regional district grants and funds from B.C. and the federal gas tax. The improvements included new ceiling panels and roof insulation, refinishing floors, new stucco for walls, and refurbishing of interior doorways.
“It used to be like a haunted ice palace outside,” said Janet Harris, then-president of the Central Park Building Society. “Icicles would come down from the roof almost like tusks. We didn’t see that this year [2012], so the insulation is paying off.”
The official centenary celebration will take place this Saturday (June 14).
The occasion will be celebrated with entertainment on the Smithers Community Radio (CICK) stage, historical building tours for the public, and unique art gallery and museum exhibits.
The celebration takes place between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., in conjunction with the Bulkley Valley Farmer’s Market.
There will be crafts for kids in the gallery, special prizes, and resident artists showcasing their work. A guest appearance by Smithers' own Mark Perry is also scheduled.
"Come on down and enjoy treats at the market, listen to music onstage and join us in a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday to celebrate 100 years of an important historical landmark," said the Central Park Building Society in a press release.
