Council holds firm on fate of surplus buildings despite concerns from committee
Posted Jul 1, 2010 By Ashley Kulp
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Tweet ThisEMC News - While North Grenville Council created the municipal heritage advisory committee to have input on such issues, it seems as if council isn't taking all of their advice into consideration regarding its recent decision to sell some of its surplus buildings.
Council originally made the decision to put the Acton's Corners School, the former fire hall and the South Gower and Kemptville branches of the North Grenville Public Library (NGPL) up for sale during its May 17 Committee of the Whole meeting. The Kemptville Courthouse and the Oxford Mills branch of the NGPL will be retained, however expressions of interest from the community and private sector will be sought for the latter to pursue a net-net-net lease arrangement or something similar.
North Grenville Historical Society (NGHS) president and heritage advisory committee member David Shanahan expressed concern over the lack of input by the committee on council's decisions at that May meeting. In turn, the committee met on May 31 and brought forward their own reports on what they feel should be done with the buildings during the June 14 regular council meeting.
According to CAO Andy Brown, the heritage advisory committee is hoping to see the heritage designation currently placed on the Kemptville branch of the NGPL in place, which council had already decided to do.
They also wanted the municipality to reconsider retaining the Acton's Corners School. But if they don't, to place the proceeds from the sale of it into a fund for heritage building upgrades.
"All money goes to the libraries and I realize it's a motherhood issue and a very wonderful project, but any way you can see a way to put at least some of the monies realized from the sale of the heritage buildings into a trust account to take care of some of the renovations very desperately needed for the Oxford Mills town hall and the school, would be appreciated," commented North Grenville Heritage Advisory Committee chair Rowena Cooper.
According to the committee's report by Cooper, the designation for the Acton's Corners School covers not only the exterior but many features of the interior, such as the blackboard, wall and ceiling paneling, Finley box stove, and built-in library cupboard. "...As a result, development of this site is substantially restricted, in accordance with the direction of the council of the day," the report stated. "Development is further constrained by the presence of an airstrip on the adjacent property to the east."
The report went on to note that "from a municipal heritage perspective, this property is far more valuable than any funds which could be realized from its sale. From the long term perspective, it would be more prudent to retain the property, mothball the building and seek tourism development partners."
Councillor Barb Tobin realized that the Acton's Corners School was a sensitive issue.
"It's particularly difficult with Acton's Corners, it's such a small schoolhouse...but it's difficult to put a dollar amount on something that has historical significance," she said. "I appreciate the report from the heritage advisory committee."
However, the committee's biggest issue with council was its decision to sell off the former Kemptville Fire Hall without having it heritage designated first. They also wanted the municipality to reconsider retaining the Acton's Corners School. But if they don't, to place the proceeds from the sale of it into a fund for heritage building upgrades.
"Please, as a council, sell the former armories with a heritage designation in place, rather than make the new owner do it...you have the power, you can do that," pleaded Cooper. "It's one of the few World War I armories remaining in Ontario...it's an important building. Please, please designate it. We don't want to lose it."
At the June 14 meeting, council held firm on their decisions for the buildings, which Cooper admitted was "frustrating."
"Sometimes it's just a tad frustrating being chair of an advisory committee to council as you can imagine," she remarked. "We can also advise, it's on your shoulders where the decisions and responsibility lies...You voted to dispose of several heritage buildings but have retained two, the former Kemptville town hall and Oxford Mills town hall. That building in Oxford Mills is a very important building, not only is it designated under the Ontario Heritage Act but it's designated a national historical site..."
"I'm a little disappointed with some of the recommendations not taken, that's probably an understatement, but our committee will live to fight another day. The heritage committee will go on and we hope to have your support," she added.
It seems like Cooper's words had an effect on council and during the June 21 Committee of the Whole council meeting, council opted to go ahead with at least one of the heritage advisory committee's recommendations: to designate the former armory and fire hall (see related story on front page).
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