This information was brought forward in a request for decision during the April 16 council meeting. “The second part of the motion is if we do repair the roof and we do accept the monies from Parks, we would be returning the building to Parks Canada,” said Doug Rodwell, acting director of Environmental Services.
If council decided not to accept the matching grant money from Parks Canada, the grant—which is specified for restoring a heritage building—will return unused to the Alberta Heritage Commission.
The sooner the building can be protected the better, explained CAO Peter Waterworth. Apart from the roof, further work is needed to preserve the building, as outlined in a May 2012 report that was prepared by Rodwell and Infrastructure Manager Don Pickle and presented to council.
The cedar shingle replacement alone was quoted at $125,000. Though this quote is from 2012, “we have been in contact with that contractor and he feels that is still a pertinent quote,” said Rodwell.
If council approves the request for decision at the May 7 meeting, the Old Fire Hall roof could potentially be repaired by the onset of the summer tourist season, pending contractor availability.
“I think it’s an excellent opportunity to preserve a heritage building in our community,” said Coun. Mike Day. “The community has clearly stated they want to see it preserved.”
“Although I agree with what Coun. Day is saying, there is still going to be some staff time donated to doing that and every time we talk about things, it’s how thinly spread we are already,” said Coun. Rico Damota.
Given the grant is provincially funded, the roof restoration would cost taxpayers money, but it’s not direct, local taxpayers money.
Council voted to accept the request for decision for the next council meeting, with the exception of Coun. Rico Damota, who voiced more reservation.
“This thing just has bad news written all over it, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “I’m just a little bit weary these days of taking money just because it’s there … because that always comes to an operational cost for the municipality.”
Mayor Richard Ireland appreciated Damota’s opinion, but offered a different perspective.
“Getting rid of the operation requirement to that building long-term is a huge benefit for us, so a little bit of staff time now—I think—is worth the investment.”
