by Betty Bardswich
MINDEMOYA—Members of the Mindemoya Old School Repurposing Committee (MOSRC) breathed a sigh of relief at the Central Manitoulin council meeting on March 20. The group, after talking to FedNor representative Mike Addison, had asked council for $5,000 towards a feasibility study to determine the viability of bringing the old school up to snuff in order to create a better living activity building. FedNor has set a cap of $50,000 towards such a study, with the understanding that MOSRC would come up with 10 percent (or $5,000) of that amount.
Mayor Stephens, with a nod to the large crowd in attendance, began the meeting with a welcome, a thanks to a very hard working MOSRC committee and put the request from that group’s members at the top of the agenda.
MOSRC Vice-Chairperson Hal Love spoke to council on behalf of the group and started with thanks to Mayor Stephens, Councillors Linda Farquhar and Alex Baran and Economic Development Officer (EDO) Nancy Kinoshameg for their participation on the Old School committee. He thanked the committee for their work in attending meetings and looking for grants and singled out Jan McQuay especially, saying that she “has worked really hard on this.”
Mr. Love went on to say that the committee has had a good response to their survey, showing that there was an obvious need for the better living activity building. He noted, however, that there is also opposition to the plans for the Old School.
“Obviously,” he said, “there are some who oppose the plans based on perceived costs and possibly ignorance of what value to the community can be garnered from this valuable community asset. It is a landmark and should not be subjected to the wrecking ball without exploring all the possible ways of preserving it in an affordable and sustainable manner. At the Finance and Economic Development committee meeting, a member indicated that they were under the impression that our committee would not be asking for any monetary support especially for a building that that member considered defunct. Defunct is defined as “no longer existing or functioning.” The lack of maintenance and not being occupied, at least partly, is by choice of council.”
He then went on to say, “According to The Expositor article, one councillor at the finance meeting referred to the building, saying, ‘I know you guys want to save your Old School, but it might be cheaper to build a new building and support our seniors that way.’ I believe the councillor has the community interest at heart, but it is not ‘our school,’ it belongs to all the residents of Central Manitoulin. We are trying to see if there is a case for repurposing. A new building would almost definitely be more expensive from a capital cost perspective. With the desire of a segment of the community for a new arena and the fact that the municipality just took out a $900,000 loan for a new fire hall, it is unlikely that a new senior centre will be in the cards in the near future.”
Mr. Love did note in his presentation that there was a legitimate concern that, beyond feasibility study financial support, there may be ongoing consultants’ fees that the municipality would be asked to pay. “We are expecting,” Mr. Love explained, “that the feasibility study will point us in the right direction to have the cost of consultants covered by the various programs and grants. It is possible that the municipality could be asked for financial support along the way, but not at this time. I believe it would be incumbent on the municipality to provide assistance if needed to support the envisioned activities in the future if required. Of course, the council of the day would have the say in that possibility. It will be interesting to see what the incumbent councillors and/or any new people running for council in the fall election will have on the platform for seniors. I think it is suffice to say that not much has been targeted by council toward better living for our seniors in this community over the past few years. The private sector has made tremendous additions and contributions to the community from a commercial and affordable multi housing prospective and I don’t believe our local government has responded with services for the enhanced population, especially the seniors that have been attracted here in their retirement years.
In talking further about the Old School, Mr. Love said that it was one of the few buildings with historical significance to the community. He went on to talk about what could be done. “Manitowaning, Gore Bay, Providence Bay and Kagawong have all repurposed buildings,” he outlined. “A Sudbury architecture firm is donating some effort to keep the building by doing conceptual drawings, Heritage Canada has approached us. The building is nearing 100 years. This is important. The feel it is very important to maintain and preserve these buildings. They fund up to $500,000. The structure of the building is still good. The bones of the building are good.”
Mr. Love then asked, “Why invest in a feasibility study” and exclaimed, “Because it is just that! An investment. Not a gift, not a loan, not a donation. It could potentially be an investment that leads to increased economic development in our township. Look around. Businesses and governments recognize the economic potential that is in our aging population. Look at the programs, funding sources, et cetera that governments are putting in place aimed at this growing segment of the population. Look how businesses cater to seniors. Economic development in this township is stagnant. This is an opportunity to change that and be of significant benefit to a large number of taxpayers. Council must do more than fix potholes and buy trucks. They need to help enhance the quality of life for their taxpayers. We have the potential to attract and entice more people to move to our township. And not just seniors. Our seniors and those we might attract here, need services, supports and life activities. All these things can produce spinoff effects, increase opportunities and jobs that can attract younger people and professionals. So many good ideas have been put forward by the committee, the public and other service providers. Health and wellness, physical activities and cultural.”
Mr. Love finished his presentation by saying that there is funding for both capital and operating expenses and reminded council that there are 800 seniors in Central Manitoulin.
“We believe this is a worthwhile endeavour,” he said, “well within the capability of this municipality and in the best interest of this community asset and the citizens of Central Manitoulin.”
Mayor Stephens then read out emails and letters that he had received around this issue. “We do not want the building saved or an assessment done,” read the first email. A letter from a former teacher also was opposed to the repurposing of the Old School. “Spend our time and energy with buildings that are already in place,” was said.
A letter of in favour read, “I express support for MOSRC. The building will be used in a new way. A better living centre. It would add to the future and attract seniors who live in the area.”
The final letter expressed strong support for the study and the writer said that such a study would be a great benefit.
Councillor Alex Baran then offered his support for the motion to partially fund the feasibility study. “We need to honour our commitment to the committee,” he said, adding that the committee was not prohibited from coming forward for funds. Councillor Baran commented that there is not a year that goes by that some group is looking for funds and showed his understanding of the feasibility study by acknowledging that the outcome could also mean the wrecking ball.
Councillor Derek Stephens spoke next on the motion and acknowledged that there is a need for activities for seniors, but not, as he said, “this building.” He also remarked that the study is for the building, not for what needs to be done for seniors. “There is lots of work to be done,” he noted, including electrical, plumbing, a new roof and the removal of asbestos.
Councillor Dale Scott told the audience that he had received 12 phone calls about this issue and not one said to save the school. “We don’t want to be spending $5,000,” he said, “not on repurposing, but on a survey to see if you wanted to pay the taxes. Next, this has to be self-sustaining. We already have a seniors’ centre in Providence Bay. Half the people are from Mindemoya.” Councillor Scott went on to say that there is interest in Central Manitoulin for a new complex with an arena, sports area and a community centre. “This is far better,” he said, “than putting millions plus into an old building. And what about fundraising? I don’t hear anything about fundraising. Fundraising in Providence Bay has been tremendous. They could raise the $5,000 and not from the taxpayers. We all pay for grants. It is not free. What if the feasibility study is more? So, listening to the taxpayers, I say no.”
Councillor Linda Farquhar was the next to speak and firstly said, “Hal (Love) made a great presentation.” She then went on to say that she wanted to respond to Councillor Scott’s words. She explained that a member of the seniors’ group in Providence Bay had come to a MOSRC meeting and said that that club says no to the survey and no to having anything to do with the school. She also touched on the remarks about a new complex for seniors. “If $5,000 is too high,” she questioned, “imagine what a new building would cost.”
“I am having a hard time with this,” said Councillor Ted Taylor, who was the next to speak. “After seeing the costs, I don’t see enough reason for keeping it. I hope the feasibility study will come up with some more meat to it.” He also questioned who would be responsible for the cleaning of the building, grass cutting and so on. ‘I will vote in favour,” he said. “Hopefully the study will come up with something for it. It will cost a lot to operate it on a yearly basis.”
Mayor Stephens then spoke in favour of the motion. “This is a historic and a heritage building,” he said. “There are two or three years to go to celebrate 100 years. That is something to look forward to. We have an excellent group to fill that gap.”
A recorded vote for the motion was taken. The motion passed with Councillor Scott voting against the motion. Councillor Pat MacDonald was unable to attend the meeting.
