Province mulls future use of former Calgary courthouse

The Alberta government is still trying to figure out what it should do with Calgary's historic — but empty — Court of Appeal building.

The province owns the building located on Seventh Avenue in the heart of the downtown.

The Court of Appeal moved out in 2001 after toxic mould was found. 

The Alberta government says the mould has been cleared up but the building has been sitting completely empty with locked front doors and curtained windows for the last five years.

Tracy Larsen with Alberta Infrastructure said they are reviewing possible uses for the building.

"It is a provincial historic resource so any proposed changes would need to be in keeping with the standards and guidelines for the conservation of historic places in Canada," she said.

Calgary's historian laureate Harry Sanders says the old courthouse remains important.

"Having an old building present in our lives reminds you that this is a city that's been here for a long time," he said.

There's been talk the building might house the law society, law library or legal aid and similar legal services — but the province won't say what it wants to happen or when.

No deadline has been announced for the completion of the provincial review.