Bold step

Council concludes that the best way to save the town hall is by letting go

The fate of the town hall in Wellington will be guided by a working group comprised of two council members and two public members. Council approved a plan, last week, entrusting the working group with the task of coming up with a document that will lay down the terms and conditions upon which potential bidders may express interest in acquiring the building.

Potential bids will be evaluated on intended use, compatibility with the community and the streetscape and its neighbours, but it will also require strict adherence to the architectural integrity of the building and its place on Main Street. Capacity and experience in investing and restoring heritage assets will also be primary considerations in the preparation of the Expresssion of Interest (EOI).

When the EOI template is ready, it will be presented to the public for consultation, feedback and subject to revision.

Council approved the plan by a wide margin. An attempt to derail the process didn’t get off the ground.

Ameliasburgh councillor Janice Maynard urged her colleagues to pause, to have a ‘fulsome conversation’ about the future of the ‘people’s hall’.

On the other side, Hillier councillor Chris Braney argued that an open ended public meeting about a single building was unproductive.

“Consultation must be about tangible options,” said Braney. “[this process] enables a conversation when there is clarity of purposes.”

Bill Roberts echoed Braney’s comments.

“The best kind of public consultation is when there is something real to be considered,” said the Sophiasburgh councillor.

Wellington councillor Corey Engelsdorfer urged his colleagues to demonstrate a clear purpose.

“Council has to decide its going to divest of any of these assets,” said Engelsdorfer. “Otherwise we are wasting a lot of resource and creating public grief and public fatigue.”

Kate MacNaughton urged a more ‘natural, transparent process.” This would mean thorough examination of the potential options and pathways,” said the Picton councillor.

County property manager Lisa Lindsay gently underlined the fact that the Wellington town hall needs extensive investment in the near term. Much more than the $700,000 required to make it habitable, this price tag include necessary renovations related to accessibility, potentially hazardous material and heritage restoration. Nor does it contemplate a future restoration of the second floor or the cost to do so.

“We are dealing with a serious problem,” cautioned Lindsay. “Not caring for the building over an extended amount of time is going to be a tragedy.

Chief Administrative Officer Marcia Wallace quantified the challenge.

“Ultimately we will have to make some tough choices,” said Wallace. “We don’t have a reserve for buildings. We have zero. That’s why it is a difficult conversation.”

Mayor Steve Ferguson anticipates residents and service groups will rise up to propose a bright new future for the building—to do what the municipality cannot.

“We have a community of very clever, very bright and very resourceful people,” said Ferguson. “But the public must recognize the municipality cannot afford the cost of rehabilitation.”

Ultimately the attempt to pause failed. A majority of council want to see where the process goes next.

The County is seeking public members to sit on the working group.

To apply, visit https://shorturl.at/ejort