Pincher Creek community saves historic Lebel Mansion

Lebel Mansion: A Historical Landmark in Pincher Creek

Pincher Creek’s Lebel Mansion stands as a historical symbol above downtown. The former Catholic hospital celebrated its 115th anniversary last year.

More than 40 years ago, a group of art and heritage enthusiasts worked to save it. Given the high costs of heritage renovations, this is a significant community achievement.

Today, the mansion is vibrant and busy. It houses a public pottery studio and children’s art programs in the basement. The main floor features a gift shop with over 60 local artists. Additionally, it hosts concerts, an art gallery, meeting rooms, and more than 14 different businesses, including accountants and massage therapists.

The mansion still relies on grants and town support for sustainability. However, its future looks promising, according to Kassandra Chancey, executive director of the Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek, the building’s main tenant.

“I would say that over the last 10 years, this is the most solid I’ve ever seen the support of the community and the town for this space,” Chancey stated.

A Rich History

Chancey explained that the mansion was built in 1910 by the Lebel family, who moved from Quebec and established the town’s general store. In 1924, it became a Catholic hospital, with a large east wing added.

This history makes the building special to many local residents. Chancey noted, “It still happens on a regular basis [that someone will say], ‘I was born here, we lost my mother here’ — all the stories. It just represents something really dear to people.”

The mansion features a children’s studio space in the basement for creative projects. After the hospital closed, the building remained empty for two years in the 1980s.

David Green, a former town councillor and Allied Arts board member, recalls that time. “We had board meetings in the Lebel Mansion where there was no heat, no water, no light. But the group was so enthusiastic, there was just no turning back from it,” he said.

A group of local artisans created a plan to save the building. Green emphasized the importance of transparency with community members to build support.

Community Support and Renovations

Eventually, the group gained enough support. The building received historic designation and a grant to remove the east addition and make various upgrades. They reopened as an arts and community hub.

Green also authored a local ghost story, Evangeline, about a spirit haunting a staircase in the mansion. “Every year, especially around Halloween, we still get a bunch of, usually, like 10-year-old and under little kids who want to come in and find her,” he said.

Chancey believes broad community support is essential. She seeks ways to engage people and understand what the building means to them.

Several years ago, volunteers raised funds to add an elevator by selling old bricks from the original extension. The gift shop has also been beneficial, now featuring works from 60 to 70 artists, mostly local.

After pandemic shutdowns, her team began hosting outdoor concerts, bringing the community together again. “Our free outdoor programs with live music were really amazing,” she said.

Challenges in Heritage Preservation

Similar models have been used in Edmonton’s Ortona Armoury and Calgary’s old YMCA, where space is rented to community arts organizations. However, both have faced funding challenges for ongoing maintenance.

Dave Chalmers, owner of Chalmers Heritage Conservation, noted that heritage and art often intersect. He explained that federal banking policies favor new construction, making renovations of historic structures more costly.

“But we all know there’s a strong community benefit to preserving these buildings. That’s been well documented,” he said.

Chalmers advises community groups to consider how the building will generate funds for future maintenance. “Nobody really owns these things, because the idea is to keep them in perpetuity. You’re really just a steward of the building,” he added.