BANFF SCHOOL AUDITORIUM. Banff's first permanent school was constructed on Banff Avenue in 1887, just one year after the town had been established. Built in 1939, the Banff School Auditorium (now the Parks Canada Information Centre) is the only one of Banff's early educational facilities still standing. As Banff was in need of classroom space and a community hall, the federal government used funds granted by the Public Works Construction Act of the 1930's to build the 500-seat auditorium. The Tudor Revival detailing, steeply pitched roof, half-timbering and Rundle rock facing was typical of institutional buildings in Banff. For over 25 years, The Banff School of Fine Arts (now The Banff Centre) held its summer classes here. In 1972, federal government acquired the building for use as an information centre.
