Demolishing heritage

Two historic properties in Sandbanks Park to be removed

Last week, the The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) announced it had completed a project evaluation to enable the demolition of two heritage homes situated in Sandbanks Provincial Park that have fallen into disrepair. Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) prepared for both buildings have recommended demolition and provide recommendations for commemoration of the buildings. This work would be undertaken in accordance with the park management plan and applicable policies and guidelines.

The Hyatt house, built in 1869 by James MacDonald Hyatt, is the older of the two properties. It was purchased in 1972 by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The Mac- Donald house was built in 1878. Both former residential homes situated on County Road 12 have sat empty for at least 20 years and are now in poor condition.

Earlier this year, a letter from Mayor Steve Ferguson was sent to Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Included were comments made by the Heritage Advisory Committee to the Environmental Registry of Ontario on the proposal to amend the Sandbanks Provincial Park Management Plan to enable the demolition of two heritage properties—the Hyatt and MacDonald houses. The letter stated, “The Committee’s submission suggests the MacDonald and Hyatt properties present a unique opportunity to restore and re-purpose heritage assets.” Further it noted, “Demolishing the houses disregards and overlooks the community’s steadfast and consistent commitment to heritage.”

Of the five comments received through the study, the majority of concerns expressed were to the loss of the buildings from the landscape and the cultural heritage that they possess. The Cultural Heritage Evaluation Reports produced for the houses indicate that while they represent the theme of Lakeside Resorts, their significance is lessened by the loss of the additional heritage elements, for example, the removal of the cottages (prior to 1976) that were once associated with the Hyatt House. The houses are not considered provincial heritage properties of provincial significance.

Heritage Advisory Committee member and Hiller ward councillor Ernie Margetson explained that he wasn’t surprised with the outcome of the study. “It was fairly evident from the start that Sandbanks Park had given up on these two properties. It seems almost an obvious demolition by neglect,” says Margetson, referring to the practice of allowing buildings to deteriorate so demolition is the first option. In 1993, a Management Plan for Sandbanks Provincial Park committed to preserving buildings within the historical zone. In the past 25 years, Sandbanks Provincial Park has not made a Cultural Resources Management Plan. “Due to their neglect, meaning their lack of maintenance and attention to these houses, they are now getting to the point of saying we need to demolish them for public safety,” he says.

Margetson explained that Sandbanks Park didn’t follow through on their commitment, so the Heritage Advisory Committee asked them to develop a Cultural Resource Management Plan before any decision was made to demolish the houses. “The community here has a strong connection with our heritage so we were trying to make that clear to the Ministry of Environment and to Sandbanks Park that historic preservation is important,” says Margetson. “They need to understand where the community stands on this.”

Ontario Parks intends to proceed with the demolition. As a result of comments received, the project documentation has been revised to more clearly indicate that Ontario Parks will implement commemoration recommendations made in the HIAs for each building as a means of mitigating the loss of cultural heritage resources from Sandbanks Provincial Park. If possible, any heritage elements found prior to demolition will be retained.

Ultimately, Margetson believes that the buildings could have been saved, but notes that this scenario was more about the principle than the restoration. “I’ve worked on a lot of projects where a lot of people have said things are beyond salvage, and its amazing what you can do if you have patience, money and willpower.When we are dealing with the province, these buildings are owned by everyone, and we should all have a say.”