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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1972-07-20, Page 9"'"'",'"*"'""....?!..0.4.1.....01...W.t.rwrOtna*frwteawat4 wi...-swo As part of a project to improve the road links between Benmi I ler and major transportation routes the County of Huron is constructing this new bridge in the community, replacing an old single lane structure. This bridge crosses a creek less than 50 yards from the old woollen mill which is presently being remodeled. Second Section Clinton, Ontario r, r r • Clinton News-Record Thursday July 20, 1972 107 Year No. 29 The secret of the old mill Abo In addition to the old Gledhill Woollen mill, which is presently the centre of attention in Benmiller, Peter Ivey has also purchased the former Pfrimmer Grist Mill. No work is underway at this location with the exception of workmen picking up supplies for the other building site which are stored in the building. Huron County Road 31 joining Benmiller with Highway 8 is under reconstruction, with the project to be completed, for the most part, this year. The road will open Benmiller and the nearby Falls Conservation Area to tourist traffic as it has never been open before. The legality of thit fen4e closing off a portion of the Ivey property along Main Street in Ro/tiller has been brought up recently but Colborne township Reeve Doug McNeil would Only admit that the matter was being looked into, The Pence is located near the bridge which crosses the mill race immediately north of the Pfrimmer Grist Miff, Workers atthe former Woollen Mill in Benmiller are seen as they go about the job of rebuilding the structure for its new owner Peter Ivey. Exactly what the mill is to become has not been disclosed by the owner but rumors about its future are numerous. BY RON SHAW Although . the village of Benmiller is in the midst of probably the biggest building boom of its history, what is really underway in that community still remains somewhat of a mystery, The rebuilding of Huron County Road 31 and the construction of a new bridge are of course obvious, but what goes on behind the high fence, (topped with barb wire) surrounding the former woollen millhas been shaping up over the past weeks to look like the Hardy Boys'thriller, "Secrets of the Old Mill." Some facts about the project are clear. Workmen en the site are employed by George Kadlecik of Grand Bend, a building contractor, who in turn is employed by Peter J. Ivey of 1132 Richmond Street in London. Exactly what the men are doing is another story. Everyone involved, from the workers right on up to Mr. Ivey himself, refused to discuss anything concerning the old mill project, After repeated attempts I finally managed to contact Mr. Ivey last week but the conversation was short and to the Point. "No comment." He did say, after being pressed for further details, that it (the mill) was being turned into a home, Mr. Ivey's explanation that the building would soon be a house represents the first time such a suggestion regarding the work has been put forward in what is becoming a never-ending game of speculation by residents around Benmiller, A short survey of Benmiller citizens conducted recently by the Signal-Star regarding the developments in that village indicated the basic opinion was the mill would become a hotel, dining room and night spot, Similar developments in the near future are predicted by local for the other mill located in the village. Peter Ivey also owns this structure, the former Pfrimmer grist mill. 'As a point of interest there is little of Benmiller left, property wise, that Mr. Ivey does not own. In terms of real estate involving buildings Mr. Ivey has been limited to the mills but he has purchased in addition to them, large slices of the undeveloped land lying within the village. With the exception of several lots fronting cn roadways, Mr. Ivey now owns all the property bordered by Huron County Road 31 on the east and north, Main Street of Benmiller on the south and the gravel roadway joining the two across the western edge of the community. He also owns sizeable portions of property along the creek east of Huron Road 31 and between Main Street and the Maitland River. Included in that central portion of property is the mill pond which lies between the woollen and grist mills. The area around the mill pond is the only portion of Mr. Ivey's holding presently under development other than the woollen mill. It has been landscaped, the pond banks shored and a high wire fence. complete with a topping of barbed wire, erected around the area. This fence may be the source of some problems for Mr, Ivey if recent developments are any indication. Some residents have not taken kindly to it and a question of legality regarding its location has arisen. Colborne Township Reeve Doug McNeil said the matter was. "in for paper work" when contacted on Monday morning but he refused to elaborate on that statement. McNeil added, "I haven't spoken to Mr. Ivey as yet and we really want no publicity." During the interview Mr. McNeil pointed up one other interesting fact. If Mr. Ivey is investing in a location for a dining lounge and entertainment centre it is done with some risk. The Colborne reeve explained that the township is dry as far as liquor licencing is concerned with the exception of special occasion permits. Although Peter Ivey comes out of all the questions as the central figure in the mystery, the property he now controls is actually owned jointly with (tenants in common) his sister, Joanne H. Mazzaloni, an opera singer, who gives as her address on the property deeds, as 69 Alicina Avenue, Toronto. The land was purchased for a total price of $38,500, Mr, Ivey's other interests are varied. He controls a sizeable portion of the shares in EMCO Ltd., a plumbing supply company and is involved in other enterprises. He is also known to he a patron of the arts and is listed by Huron Country Playhouse, who will be offering theatre to this area from a locality near Grand Bend, among their supporters. Mr. Ivey has a summer home at Grand Bend. The truth about what goes on behind those "No Trespassing" signs and the chain link fence remains the mystery of the old mill. Peter Ivey apparently doesn't want to tell anyone his plans and, of course, that's his right. As for the speculators . , well they don't really care. After all a good mystery is exciting.