MINDEMOYA— Prior to Central Manitoulin council considering a final decision on closing the Old School building in Mindemoya, a review is going to be carried out by municipal staff to see if it is economically feasible to continue to maintain and operate the building.
This comes after council reviewed a recommendation from its office and administration committee, “that we recommend to council that the municipality review the Old School’s revenues, operating and capital cost for the past five years to see if it is economically feasible to continue to maintain it and operate the Old School building as a municipal investment property.”
“How did discussion evolve from the property committee, when the capital cost improvements were estimated at between $400,000 and $500,000 and the costs showed the building was not breaking even, and we were looking at disposing the building?” asked Councillor Alex Baran at a council meeting last week. “I just wonder how we got from that to this recommended motion.”
“We have to look at the whole profit-loss costs of the building,” said Councillor Derek Stephens. “It is estimated that almost $1.1 million would have to be spent to bring the building up to code. That’s why we are asking our municipal staff to do this study. Is it feasible to keep the building open? I don’t know, but that is why we want to get the costs together on this.”
Councillor Dale Scott explained, “we had passed this motion in preparation of the public meeting we will be holding on this issue. We want to get information from five years back to show this is the loss (financially) we are talking about, and be able to ask for and get input from the public as to what they want us to do. We aren’t going to be asking for a plebiscite to be taken on this, but we want to get information on the costs involved before we make a final decision.”
“Many members of the public will no doubt be nostalgic when we look at the future of the Old School,” said Councillor Scott. “And not everyone is going to be pleased that we are looking at the disposal of the building. And that is why we need the financial statistics and data to show why we are making the decision we are.”
Councillor Patricia Macdonald said, “it isn’t that the property committee changed its mind on the building, but we felt it is important that we give municipal staff the opportunity to get the financial information together first, and then hold a public meeting to provide this information and get members of the public’s input.”
“Right now it looks as if we would have to spend about three-quarters of a million dollars that never makes a profit,” stated Councillor Stephens.
It was pointed out that at least 80 percent of the building space is currently occupied.
“The discussion with our constituents will have to look at whether we keep, sell or dispose of the building,” said Councillor Scott. “It is important that the public understand the direction we are going, and why.”
Council approved the motion to have municipal staff review the Old School’s revenues, operating and capital costs for the past five years.
