| Dec 14, 2016


When compared to the fate of the former Sharbot Lake Public building, which was doomed to a slow decline followed by demolition at a hastily announced council meeting a couple of days before Christmas last year, the former Hinchinbrooke school building has a bright future.

That does not mean it will be opened up for public use any time soon, or perhaps ever. A report to Central Frontenac Council that was presented on the final meeting of the year on Tuesday (December 13), said that the lower floor of the building can be re-born as an accessible recreational building with a commercial kitchen for under $300,000. While Central Frontenac does exactly have $300,000 kicking around, grants could be available for such a project. What is more of a concern are the long term operating costs of such a public building, which is estimated at $60,000 per year by the community recreation centre committee that is spearheading the project, including over $30,000 in heating costs.

The feasibility study was overseen by Perth architect Geoff Hodgins, and included reports on the structural and mechanical soundness of the building. The report did not consider the cost of remediating any of the asbestos in the building, or the cost of removing an oil tank that is buried on the site. Both of these issues would need to be dealt with whether the building is renovated or torn down.
The windows and other elements of the building, which is 46 years old, were upgraded within the last 15 years. For that reason, as well as cost factors, the study does not recommend that any major energy efficiency upgrades be made to the building, the result being that heating costs will remain quite high.

In the summary of his findings, Hodgins said the following: “The former Parham elementary school building is in relatively good condition and could be retrofitted to serve the proposed use as a multi-purpose recreation and cultural facility. There are some substantial costs that would be associated with this retrofit, the most significant of which have to do with renovating the support system for the gymnasium to include a fully functioning commercial kitchen,  required upgrades to the mechanical and electrical system and accessibility compliance requirements. Should the design be made to proceed the result would be $8,500 square feet of fully functioning accessible space, with an additional $5,000 square feet of second floor space for development.”

In his response to the Hodgins report, Central Frontenac Chief Building Official (CBO)Jeremy Neven said there are a number of potential costs that are not included in the Hodgins report but need to be determined before he can confidently make a recommendation to Council on the viability of the project.

“The study appear to have been well done, but there are factors outside of its mandate that could cause construction costs to balloon substantially,” he said.

In his report, he recommended that council reserve any decision on the matter until “a complete and viable business plan is put forward detailing how capital costs for any and all renovations will be addressed and how ongoing operational costs for the building will be addressed.”

The community recreation centre committee also appeared before council as a delegation in response to the release of the study. Sue Campbell of the committee said that the they are asking council to allow them to take the lead in preparing an application to the Trillium Foundation for a “seed stream” grant which would be used to fund “development of a working business plan for a culture and recreation centre at the former Hinchinbrooke School site.”

Campbell said that the Trillium deadline is the end of February.

Councillor Tom Dewey asked about the status of the committee that is working on the project, and Sue Campbell said the were under the previous council. That status was not renewed, however, and that will have to be rectified in January, which will require that a councl member join the committee, likely one of the Hinchinbrooke Councilors.

Councilor Brent Cameron said “I’m personally supportive of the project, but we need to find a way to make the building self-sufficient.”
Meanwhile, as the building waits for its fate to be determined it will not be heated this coming winter. That poses a minimal risk of heaving, which is offset by $30,000 in savings.

COUNCIL BRIEFS

Building permit activity drops in November, but December is looking good
CBO Neven presented the construction permit report as of the end of November.

In November, permits for $150,000 in construction were issued, down from over $500,000 from last year, leaving a year to date total of just over $7.5 million, up from just under $7 million a this time last year, and $4.6 million in 2014. Neven said that the November numbers were down because a number of permits were delayed and he expects to issue over $1 million in permits this month, which could bring a record year end total for the township.

Fire report
Fire Chief Bill Young reported that the department has issued an rfp for the replacement of 32 twenty year old Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units.

“They have a 15 year life span so we need to do something,” Young said.

He  reported that work on the library addition to the Montain Grove Fire Hall will not be completed before the end of the year, as had been hoped, but will happen in mid-January.

“We had to wait too long for approvals from hydro, etc.” Young said, “but it has gone well and is almost complete.”

He also reported that a new software system, the Fire House records management program, has been installed and will automate tracking and reporting department activities, which will help the township comply with reporting requirements set out by the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office.

The hiring for a full time fire chief has been posted internally and an external posting is pending. The new hire was one of the recommendations of a report into the departments operations.

Council approved a request for $1670 for a street light at the Parham Fire Station and Public Library.

Train whistle presentation
Donald Lafleur of Crow Lake appeared before Council in support of his request that the township undertake the 8 step process to request from CP rail that trains passing through the four rail crossings in Central Frontenac cease to whistle.

Lafleaur said that the trains whistle 5 times at each crossing, for a total of 20 for each train, and there are anywhere from 3-10 trains passing near his Crow Lake property each day.

He said that at least two guests at his rental property have said they will not be returning because of the whistling, and presented  a petition signed by most of his neighbours.

In response Councillor Dewey said he wanted to make sure that if the township requests that the whistling stop it will not create any liability, a point shared by others on Council.

Lafleur said that it is the railroad, not the township, that will make the decision and the liability rests with them.

Council accepted Mr.Lafleur’s submission, and instructed CAO MacMunn to seek legal advice on the liability issue

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