The Citizen, 2015-10-08, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2015.
The future of the Sloman School
on Wheels in Clinton is very much
up in the air, and Central Huron
Council now has to decide which
course of action to take.
Ray Letheran, chair of the School
on Wheels committee, which was
formed last year when those
involved with the landmark came to
council fearing for the future of the
school car, spoke to council Monday
night.
His presentation now concludes
the committee’s work, Letheran said,
as it has made recommendations and
has now passed the big decisions
onto Central Huron Council.
The committee examined a
number of options that might
increase attendance at the school
car – everything from potentially
moving the car to creating a bit of a
theme park around it.
Potentially moving the car was the
first thing Letheran discussed. He
said that with the car being over 100
years old and in disrepair, he felt that
it would be best not to move the car.
An assessment could be conducted,
he said, that could determine
whether or not it could be moved,
but that would likely cost at least
$20,000 simply for the assessment.
So once it was established that the
car would likely stay where it is,
Letheran said there are still a number
of other concerns.
“It’s drawing very few people and
it’s in terrible shape,” Letheran told
council. “It needs at least $50,000 of
work at best estimate.”
As far as accessing the building,
Letheran said the steps leading up to
the car are “very, very dangerous”
and the ramp doesn’t meet current
code. He also added that the roof is
“falling apart”.
The car is currently serving as its
own storage space for historic
documents, he said, which have been
hurt by elements like moisture and
mice. A facility needs to be
constructed, he said, to house the
records, so the school car can be free
to be a museum, not a storage unit.
However, he said, there is only so
much council can expect from the
structure, seeing as it is over 100
years old.
The committee found it difficult to
plan for the future of the car,
Letheran said. He acknowledged
that Clinton isn’t exactly a hotbed
for tourism, although there are plans
to revitalize that ongoing.
So how then, he asked, could the
Sloman School Car attract visitors to
the area? He looked to a recent
Thomas the Tank Engine theme day
that drew just under 1,000 people to
Sloman Park – a huge number when
the school car itself usually draws
between 800 and 1,000 per year.
So the committee began
brainstorming ways that it could
improve Sloman Park and build
attractions around the school car that
would improve attendance.
Ideas that were proposed ranged
from a ride-around train for children
to various types of gardens to a mini-
golf area and a splash pad. Letheran
also proposed a picnic area, as
Clinton doesn’t currently boast
many restaurants. He even suggested
the establishment of a model train
club and a facility where like-
minded collectors could meet and
run their trains.
All of those options, he said,
would cost money, so these are
decisions that council will have to
make going forward.
Letheran said that with
improvements to the park and a
theme established, he could see over
5,000 people making their way
through the school car annually, but
it would require tourism appeal.
Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn
said he loved the direction of the
committee, suggesting a children’s
park.
He said that the combination of
many schools and affordable
housing has made Clinton a
destination for young families, and a
park like the one Letheran was
describing could be a perfect fit for
the community.
Council took no direction based
on Letheran’s report, but left the
matter in the hands of Councillor
Alison Lobb, who was also a
member of the School on Wheels
committee. Council is scheduled to
discuss the matter at its committee of
the whole meeting on Oct. 13.
Committee proposes School Car park options
To the left, to the right
While much of the Maidens of Mayhem Li’l Mud Run on
Sunday had nothing to do with hockey, at one point those
taking part were able to pick up a stick and do what they do
best. The afternoon at the Edge of Walton Challenge
Course was a team-building day for girls hockey teams
around the area and featured a muddy obstacle course,
among other things. Here, Cassie Bernard of the Blyth
Brussels Novice team shows off her skills. (Jim Brown photo)
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By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen