KAGAWONG—Billings township council is seeking funding to have renovations completed on the historic Old Church on the Hill in Kagawong to make it a community hub for social activities.
A notice of motion had been put forward by deputy mayor Dave Hillyard and mayor Bryan Barker at the December 19 meeting of council, regarding direction for staff to research funding opportunities to renovate the church.
“This is a great idea,” said councillor Vince Grogan at last week’s council meeting.
“If we can find funding to do renovations, it would be great,” said Councillor Hillyard.
“During the election (campaign) this was a big issue of discussion among local residents,” said Councillor Hillyard.
Council passed a motion that notes the Old Church on the Hill is of historical significance, and is an asset to the township, which owns the church. At the current time, the church requires renovations for water and septic service, as well as renovation to be handicapped accessible.
A staff report indicates the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program supports green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly accessible community buildings that serve high-needs underserved communities across Canada.
The GICB program has two main funding streams: a continuous, non-competitive intake for small and medium retrofits, and a scheduled, competition intake process for large retrofits and new builds.
Council passed a motion that reads in part, “be it resolved that the council of the Township of Billings hereby directs staff to research GICB funding for renovations to the Old Church that will enhance the historical character of the building and address the servicing and accessibility constraints to turn the Old Church into a community hub for social activities and further bring a report back to council prior to the cut off date for funding.”
