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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-01-18, Page 14renchinan's Restaurant Everyday 5 to 6:30 p. Dinner starting at $ 1 235-2008: Second section - January 18 1995 Huron's court house to get a facelift The county is going ahead with a $1.7 million renovatio By Fred Groves T -A staff GODERICH - The county capital of Huron County, where all the ac- tion takes place if you're involved in a legal or political matter, is go- ing through a drastic change. Beginning sometime in April, the historic Huron County Court House will undertake a $1.7 million ren- ovation project. Although the ex- terior of the building won't change that much, it's inside where all the improvements will take place. What is the most interesting about this project is that it clearly indicates what departments in the county need more space to carry out their day-to-day operations. Recently, architects Allan Avis and John Rutledge brought their fi- nal draft of the renovations to Hu- ron County Council. Although there are seven new members on the 25 -person council, it was an- nounced that the project will now go to tender. "The design was a comfortable fit," said Rutledge of the renova- tions which will take place primari- ly in the basement and first floor. It is interesting to note that the 40 year-old court house functions not only as the offices of various county departments but, also, the provincial courts. "Ninety percent of the people us- ing this building are going upstairs to the courts," said Rutledge. Despite that, it will be the county, not the courts that will gain the ma- jority of the benefits of the renova- tions which could take up to seven months to complete. Rutledge explained that the court house, completed in 1956 after the 100 year-old former structure burned down, is a rare archi- tectural style called Modern Clas- sisism. He noted that other such famous buildings with the same style are the residence of former Prime Min- ister Pierre Elliott Trudeau in Mon- treal and the Supreme Court House building in Ottawa. While county departments won't see a drastic change in the actual square footage in which they take up in the court house, staff will see a big change in which the space is used. For example, the planning de- partment which has become very busy the last .several years, has a new concept in that everything is fairly open. "It's a department that will go through a total change. When you go in you'll see everything," said Rutledge. One of the few departments to have a decrease in the amount of square footage will be the Health Unit. "'The Health Unit is a branch of- fice so it was consolidated. We need to provide for the elevator off the south landing," explained Rut- ledge. The elevator which will cost $85,000 is one of the most im- portant parts of the entire project which fits into the five -point total renovation plan. The five ob- jectives are: barrier -free access- ibility, office renovations, upgrade of the mechanical and electrical systems, life safety upgrade and as- bestos abatement. "The main thrust is to address barrier -free access," said Avis. The total cost of the project is $1.7 million of which two-thirds is coming from the county's infra- structure money and the rest from ect on 40 year-old building "Ninety percent of the people using the building are going upstairs to the courts." the county's capital reserves bud- get. Huron County is also hoping that the Town of Goderfh will help piek up T SI18Pe of the one-third as the town will gain some benefit from the landscaping around the court house. "We hope everything will pro- ceed favorably with those cost shar- ing groyps," said Rutledge. The basement of the building has several vaults, two of those will be converted. One will become the print shop and another used as a holding cell for the provincial Courts. - "It met with approval from the OPP because they want two cells. They like the access to the elevator. They like the shortest distance for transporting," said Rutledge. There are several small meeting rooms in the building but they are tucked away in various corners. With the renovations, the five new ones will be easier to get to by the staff. "Anybody could book or use these without walking through an- other department. That is very im- portant," said Rutledge. Removal of asbestos will cost $40,000 and the total mechanical hill, including plumbing and heat- ing systems is $325,000. The cost of the electrical work, including a security system is $127,000. The old piping for the heating system has deteriorated and a new copper system will be installed. The boilers will be moved from the basement to the top of the building. There were no complaints or sug- gestions to the architects from the council but Brian McBurney did ask about a smoking room in the building which now has a no smok- ing policy. "I wonder if there is a small room for those of us with the smoking habit," asked McBurney of Turn - berry Township. "It was s?fnethillg" itever dis- cussed, maybe it was overlooked," said Rutledge. On January 22, 1867, Huron County held its own council meet- ing separate from the joint ones it had held for the previous 25 years with Perth and Brice counties. Now, the building which has plaques in memory of great men such as Dr. W.J. Homes who was the treasurer for 33 years and died in 1917 and former county warden Donald Patterson who died in 1920 will take a step towards the next century with modernization of its grand old lady - the Huron County Court House. Y C L R IN YOUR HOMETOWN...YOU CAN MAKE YOUR MONEY WORK FOR YOU AGAIN &AGAIN &AGAIN... Local retailer pays wages for 2 employees EMPLOYEES deposit their wages in local Trust Company WITH EARNINGS employees loan /AP, arrange for car �� CAR PURCHASED from Exeter dealership. Salesperson paid wages When you spend your money in the community of Exeter it never goes to waste. k's recycled over and over and over again to the benefit of everyone. Let's explain; spending gets the economy moving. It Increases employment. It provides more donations for churches, servive clubs and more. It bolsters selection with expanded inventories while it lowers the cost of public services through a greater tax base. Spending improves our comforts through home improvements and recreational courses.Tour money spent in your community can work for you again and again. On the average your dollar spent will change hands seven times before leaving Exeter.What a friendly good buy for your dollars. 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