Potential renter indicates they are no longer interested
MINDEMOYA—Some bad news has been outlined to the concept of having the Old School building in Mindemoya repurposed, after the Central Manitoulin finance and economic development (FED) committee heard the results of a study on the hazardous materials found in the building, and the fact that a potential leaser for the building has indicated they no longer have interest in using the building in the future.
“My take away is that the (Mindemoya Old School Repurposing Committee) is asking for an extension on their study,” said Angela Johnston, a Central Manitoulin councillor at a municipal finance and economic development committee meeting last week. “We don’t have the final report tonight and the consultant has most of it done and is waiting for a recommendation. The committee is asking for more time.”
However, Councillor Johnston pointed out a memo had been sent to the committee by engineers indicating it will cost between $75,000-100,000 to remove all the hazardous materials in the building. As well, the potential leaser for the building has indicated they are no longer interested in leasing the building. She pointed out the MOSRC committee had not received this information as of last week’s FED committee meeting.
“With the preliminary testing on the hazardous materials in the Old School, asbestos and lead has been found in the building,” said Councillor Johnston.
“Does this mean the building has to be taken down or do we have to remove the hazardous materials first,” asked Councillor Al Tribinevicius.
The MOSRC has requested a six-month extension on their study.
Councillor Derek Stephens noted, “we sort of expected this. Dale (Scott) and I were adamant at a previous meeting that we have the report from the committee by the agreed mandate. And we were assured this would be the case. I can see this going another six months, and a request for another six months, and another request after that. I am not in favour or support the request for an extension.”
“They’ve (MOSRC) asked for an extension, but will be receiving the same information we have tonight, so an additional six months is not necessary. In all fairness to them, the committee, they didn’t have the complete answers,” said Councillor Steve Shaffer. However, “I’m not in favour of extending this another six months.”
Councillor Tribinevicius suggested the FED committee should give the MOSRC a short extension.
“Technically the committee has to the end of November anyway,” stated Councillor Johnston. “So they still have time to look at other options.”
“They have a couple of months left in their mandate,” said Councillor Shaffer, who pointed out the MOSRC committee will be receiving the information received last week by FED.
Councillor Dale Scott said, “I came on as observer for a number of these (MOSRC) meetings. The feeling I got was that we (council) haven’t treated them (MOSRC) well or worked with them enough. It now looks as if the building is going to have to be demolished. The new information we have received does not look good.” He suggested if the school has to be torn down, “maybe we could take some of the items or a part of the school and preserve it. Maybe there are things inside that could be used. The building is an icon and that’s what upsets people when they hear it may have to be taken down.”
“The building has been here since the 1940s,” said Councillor Scott. “I think we all care about the building, I do. But in the end, we have to justify the costs involved to the taxpayers.”
“I’m in partial agreement with Dale,” said Councillor Shaffer. “There has been ill feelings among the committee (MOSRC) that council has not done enough to save the Old School. But as more information has come out it looks more and more this isn’t going to happen. And the committee may come to more of this realization after they look at the information in front of us tonight. It is not feasible to continue, and it looks as if the last straw has been pulled out. They have done everything they can with studies, receiving funding and hiring external people but the more information that has come out the more bleak this has become.”
“I understand there is funding to put a new roof on the building, and the hazardous materials taken out, the hulk of the building could still be left,” said Councillor Tribinevicius. “The ruins are a presence there,” he said, and finding a use for even some of the Old School for an initiative could bring more tourism to the community.
“I’m not in favour of providing the extension to the committee,” said Councillor Johnston. “They have had almost two years to figure this all out. There have been other historical buildings in the municipality that should have been saved. My generation doesn’t see the value of the building, and we are the ones that will be paying taxes for the next 50 years; I’m sure the majority of taxpayers in the municipality don’t see the value of keeping the building. I absolutely don’t want to give an extension.”
Councillor Scott said if the building is decommissioned, maybe some of the stone work and other materials could be saved to have a wall of stone in the entrance of a new facility.
“If and when a final decision is made to demolish the building I think it would be a great idea to look at repurposing some of the building for a monument or reuse some of the materials that we can,” said Councillor Shaffer.
Councillor Scott suggested a time capsule could be established, much like Central Manitoulin Public School has created. “Bricks and mortar are not history; history is what people remember. The municipality could promote a time capsule being established for the Old School to preserve some of its history.”
“This is an excellent idea,” stated Councillor Tribinevicius.
“We could put all the plans for the park redesign on hold. A monument like a time capsule may be a good idea in the park,” said Councillor Stephens.
Councillor Linda Farquhar said, “I was a member of the MOSRC, the main point of the committee was to use the Old School, not for something to just sit there. We have the information we received tonight and will have to pass this on to them.”
“So all of the committee is in agreement: we recommend the extension for the study will not be extended,” said Councillor Johnston, who chaired the meeting. She also noted the MOSRC committee still has until November 30 to provide its report.
Councillor Scott added, “if/when the committee (MOSRC) disbands, they deserve personal appreciation for the work they have done. A letter should be sent to each member from the municipality. They have worked hard, they have looked at options, received funding and did a lot of research. We appreciate the work they have done.
“This might help smooth things over a little,” added Councillor Farquhar.
