Municipal Heritage Award has been awarded to the Court of King’s Bench.

_{From L to R: Craig Guidinger (Dir Planning and Development), Chief Justice Martel Popescul, Architect Justin Wotherspoon and Malcolm Hoehn, with SaskBuilds.}

The 2022 Municipal Heritage Award has been awarded to the Court of King’s Bench at 1800 Central Avenue. The City of Prince Albert’s Municipal Heritage Award recognizes a construction project or building that enhances the heritage value of the city and is awarded to the nominee whose project stood out for its contribution to municipal heritage that year.

The Court of King’s Bench was built in 1927, designated a Municipal Heritage Property in 1983, and has seen considerable investment in it over the years to maintain its efficient function and heritage value. The 2022 Window Replacement Project at the Court of King’s Bench, completed by SEPW Architecture, fell under the category of rehabilitation, which allow for upgrades of a historic place for continuing use while protecting its heritage value.

The goal of the project was to return, through replacement or repair, the building’s windows and exterior doors to an architectural style similar to what existed when the building was first constructed while also managing the need for user comfort and efficiency.

“This rehabilitation project improved both the energy efficiency of the building as well as the appearance. The sensitive adaptation of the historic place and its contemporary use compatibility made this the perfect recipient under the rehabilitation category,” said Craig Guidinger, Director of Planning and Development Services.

“The courthouse holds special meaning for me personally throughout my career. This is where John D Diefenbaker, the 13^th Prime Minister of Canada, conducted many of his trials. I can feel the importance and history of this building as I imagine walking in his footsteps, This courthouse occupies a place of great prominence in the City, on the top of the hill on Central Avenue. It’s equally amazing to me that today’s architects, like the ones at SEPW Architecture, can maintain the original historic vision; the look and feel of the building is almost a century old while modernizing and improving it according to today’s standards and expectations,” said The Honourable Chief Justice M.D. Popescul.

“This award is most certainly well deserved. I will add my appreciation to the accolades you are receiving today; I commend you on your expertise and the commitment to preserving an important part of this Province’s and my history,” added Chief Justice Popescul.

The City is pleased to see the continued effort made in maintaining this historic building and congratulates all who participated in this renovation for their hard work.

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For more information, contact
Craig Guidinger
Director of Planning and Development Services
306.953.4370