The Citizen, 2001-11-07, Page 22giapp,v 3etli
Plitt
Party at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 10
at Brussels Legion
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Love Lisa, Skylar,
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For tickets call 1-877-862-5984
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Travelling in high circles
Jill Johnston, a Grade 8 student at Brussels Public School,
served as page at the November session of Huron County
council, Daughter of Paul and Joyce Johnston, she was
introduced by Morris-Turnberry Councillor Keith Johnston
(left). Warden Norm Fairies (right) thanked her for her
efforts. (Keith Roulston photo)
Happy
60th
Birthday
Wayne
on
November
7th
Love, Barb, Sonya & Eric,
Paul & Ann Marie, Natalie & Andrew,
Brian & Darla, Ryelee & Paige.
US LITTLE
PEOPLE
Waterloo County
photographer Carl
Hiebert takes us
into the closed
world of Old Order
Mennonite families
with his beautiful
photographs.
$29.95
JUST A MINUTE
OMNIBUS
Area author Marsha
Boulton compiles
some of the best
stories from her
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from Canada's past
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PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2001.
Wingham Armouries gets reprieve -for now
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
When it comes to the future of the
Wingham Armouries those in atten-
dance at a public meeting Oct. 30
seemed to share the view that they
don't want to let it go.
However, there were few answers
as to how to find the funds to do the.
$96,000 in work indicated by an engi-
neer's report, as well as fighting an
annual operating deficit of $20,000.
Though fundraising and grants were
discussed as possible ways to make
the repairs, Clerk-Administrator John
Stewart said no one really looked at
the important issue. "Each year, we
can't contribute $20,000 to that build-
ing when it's being used so infre-
quently."
The 50 or so people in attendance
were comprised of representatives
from many of the local groups which
use the facility. They talked about
getting more users and reduce exren-
ditures.
The question, however, is whether
these groups would be prepared what
they would need to pay to keep the
Armouries viable. Stewart said many
of the groups with earlier agreement
paid nothing to use the facility, while
others were only paying $4 or $5.
"That takes a lot to add up to any-
thing," said Stewart.
As for the repairs, Director of
Facilities and Recreation Dan
Cousins presented the report which
showed 10 specific areas in need of
attention. The structure is strong
enough, said Stewart. "It's not in fear
of collapse."
But the problems in time would
impact the building. "It's nothing we
can ignore."
A survey was distributed outlining
three options. One was to put the
money into the building and continue
to use it. The second would see it
demolished and the space given to
parking. The-third was to try to find a
developer interested in the property.
One idea that did sound promising,
but would take a co-operative effort
by all groups was to turn the
Armouries and the block of buildings
around it into a cultural centre.
Giving consideration to all of these
points and the interest shown it was
with no small amount of discussion,
North Huron council voted at its
Monday night meeting to close the
Wingham Armouries for the winter.
Though repairs to the heating sys-
tem would cost $8,500, Councillor
Archie MacGowan wondered if per-
haps the heat could be fixed, on the
condition that the money is recouped
when grant money becomes avail-
able. This . suggestion prompted
Councillor Murray Nesbitt to ask,
"Have we decided yet if we're keep-
ing the building or not?'
Councillor Jeff Howson, said he
felt a committee of interested people
should be formed to look at options
for keeping the facility open, but in
the meantime another meeting place
would have to be found. He credited
Jim Currie with his ideas for a cultur-
al centre, adding that if these people
are really committed to seeing some-
thing like this happefi, they will have
to accept that for now they must meet
elsewhere.
Nesbitt, however, drew attention
back to the bigget picture. "If the
tooth fairy dropped $100,000 into our
lap, this building still runs at a
deficit."
MacGowan stated that this was a
fact that was going to have to change.
People he said, should have to start
paying reasonable rent.
Howson wondered if selling it to
interested parties might not be the
best option for council. "Sell it, sell if
for $1 if these groups want it. Let
them deal with it."
The question then arose as to
whether the building needed to exist.
"There is an excess of buildings in
Wingham," said Nesbitt.
Reeve Doug Layton agreed, but
warned that there would be a fight if
they tried to tear the Armouries down.
"There'd be a lot of trouble," he said,
speaking of dialogue he had heard
throughout town. "We'd have our
hands full."
Howson, however, said that in the
conversations he had had with peo-
ple, he was hearing that the "days of
spending foolishly have to stop."
Howson also said that 22 per cent
usage, the figure quoted by Cousins,
did not justify the building's exis-
tence. And, he said, while the people
at the meeting were interested in
keeping the building, no one showed
how. "We will have upset people, but
there are 4,600 in the municipality
and while there was good representa-
tion at the meeting form the user
groups, that was all that were there."
Deputy-Reeve Murray Scott said
he felt that while everyone there had
agreed the building should be kept,
the feeling was that someone else
should do it. "I don't think there's any
easy -answer.," he said. Scott also
noted that any money coming from
grants, with the exception of the
Trillium grants, usually has to be
matched by the municipality.
"And it's still all taxpayers'
money," added Nesbitt.
MacGowan said he felt the group
needed to come to council with a plan
to show how to increase utilization of
the Armouries and itemize expenses.
"With all due respect we should give
them a chance to do that. I'd hate to
be hasty. If they do nothing then we
have to make a decision," he said,
adding however, that he couldn't in
"all conscience vote to demolish it."
Layton said he was not sure if the
people of Wingham realized how
serious this issue is. "Someone needs
to take the bull by the horn."
Council asked that Currie be
approached about forming a commit-
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TOTTERING IN
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Midge Ellis Keeble
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tee to investigate the possibilities of
keeping the Armouries open and
viab;e. Because there are 10 bookings
to the end of the year, the municipal-
ity will find other ways to accommo-
date them. However, if for some rea-
son arrangements can't be made, the
Armouries will be available with the
electric heaters used.
* * twuNti READING ii, 0
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