HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1996-07-10, Page 3a
it,OVICKUOW Oentille.l, Wednesday2 July.
1990sago 3
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Susan..,iainn Lucknow . Aaron, Barnes, Brussels
Photo -
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available
Jot& Carte', Lue E'now
Rebecca Corrigan, Bluevale
Jane Darling, Wingham
Christa Dore, Teeswater
Ursula R4 eenheer,, brussels n Teresa Farrell, Wingham Jonathan Gibbons, Wingham
David Jacques, Clifford
Rowan Kerr, Belgrave ,
Julie Lisle, Wingham
David McDonald, Teeswater
Sandta Murphy, Wing) am . Kristen O'Neill, Lucknow
Joel Pegg, Bluevale
Lesley Pike, Wingham
Meredith Rich; Gorrie
Huron Township
storic
by Ron Wassink
, Ripley's historic township hall has- received_ a six-
month stay of execution,to give the community time
to come upwith a proposal that could save it; from the
wrecker's ball.
Even so, Don Reid, agriculture society president,.
made no guarantees to township council last
Wednesday night, July 3 that an alternative could be
found and enough money raised.
Reid was one of about 20 ratepayers at the meeting
pleading with council to save the hall.
In June, council called for tenders to level the.
building, citing a $5,500 yearly operating cost and the
fact the hall is never used as reasons. it should be
demolished.
An architect's report indicated the building was
structurally sound, except fdr the basement which ' is
susceptible to flooding. 'The report estimated it would
cost $150,000 to bring it up to standards,. $480,000 to
renovate into municipal offices; . or, $35,000 to demol-
ish.
Four demolition tenders were opened Wednesday
with Bill Renlpton Contracting of Point Clark bidding
$8,346. Other tenders were: Ken Jackson
Construction, Inverhuron, $14,241; Barry Johnston,
Holyrood, $15,729; and a Quebec firm, $35,845.
The tenders were tabled in light of the agricultural
society's request. A decision on the hall's fate will be
made next January.
Reid said citizens have pledged money to fix the
hall. •
Bev Fry, who circulated petitions that .collected
768 signatures over five days save the hall, said
$15,000 had been pledged
"It would suit most people if you would use it as a
municipal office," said Recd..
Councillor Bruce Tanner .made the same query
all gets pix -month reprieve
later .in the meeting when council discussed hiring an
architect to design a new municipal building. But
Reeve Thompson said council bad already decided
"we're not putting offices in that building:"
Ron Lotton wondered if the township would sell
the building to an interested group.
Reeve Murray Thompson said the land wouldn't be
sold, though a lease . arrangement could perhaps be
workedout.
Thompson advised the agricultural society to pre-
sent council with a financial plan. He cautioned that
the fire code would have to be adhered to, which
meanshaving exits and fire separation between the
basement and main floor.
"Those are not cheap things to do," said Clerk
Laura Haight.
Reid asked for costs to repair the half
Thompson said estimates have ranged from
$50,000 to .$150,000, with the' higher estimate due to
a historic restoration, complete with. a $45,000 cedar
shake roof. •
"Take whatever figure you liker said Thompson.
"Money has to be spent there."
Council's concern is hail usage. If it is renovated .it
could drain users from other halls, such as the com-
munity centre.
Councillor Ebner Simeitxer wondered how many
halls the township wants or needs.
"The hall hasn't hardly been used since the 1960s,"
he said, because a hall was built at the school.
"How many years do you want to feed a dead
horse?" asked Smeltzer.
Thompson made it clear throughout the meeting
council never said it would nerve the cenotaph locat-
ed at the front of the hall This was an option offered
by the consulting architect, and one that people are.
vehemently aagainst. Some have gone so far as calling
the ground the cenotaph sits on as sacred.
Petitions and Debates
The hall demolition debate kicked off Wednesday
n'ight's township committee of the whole when 'three
representatives made petitions to council.
Joyce Holm, speaking for the Lakeshore seniors
Friendship Club .asked council. toreconsider the. hall's
, demolition.
She said'the council . is out aline proposing to
spend half a million dollars for municipal offices
when other governments are cutting back.
Thompson said council "has no plans to build a
municipal building there."
Janet Cress of the Point Clark $each Association
said she agreed with all of Holm's points
11"We don't want the hall demolished and we don't.
want new municipal offices," said Cress.
Bev Fry presented a stack of signed petitions and
letters, and, urged council to delay making a decision
on the hall's fate.
"People are distressed by your decision," she said.
'Where have the people been the last five years?"
asked Thompson, referring to usage of the hall.
Fry said hall rental was raised to $50 and whenshe
could rent the community centre hall for $25, . that's
the one she chose.
Thompson begged to differ, saying the highest
rental he could -recall was $28, which covered the cost
of the caretaker
Contrary to What people are saying, Thompson
said the hall bas been available for rent,
"Anybody who says the hall was not available or
priced out of line, it wasn't," he said.
The debate, which rangedperiod, over a two-hour.
covered everything from some people questioning the
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