Collingwood council is reviewing a report on the East Ward/Connaught School property.  Council received the report just hours prior to the regular council meeting scheduled for Monday October 26th. 

In a letter to council from Richard Lex, President of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario – Collingwood branch, it was stated that ACO Collingwood has long been concerned with the continued threat to our school building heritage.  “The Connaught School building is only one of two 19th century school buildings remaining in Collingwood and is the only one publicly owned.  Neither of these properties is protected by a heritage designation.  This leaves the cultural and built heritage of our public schools in jeopardy” Lex states in the letter.

In addition, the letter states that the heritage report by the town’s heritage consultant, Su Murdoch, provides significant insight to the building’s heritage value and makes the following recommendation:

“...this property is a suitable candidate for protection under s.29 of the Ontario Heritage Act (municipal designation).  The quality of the architectural design components and the historical values of the 1884/1902 building make it a good candidate for adaptive reuse.”

Lex wrote that ACO Collingwood is in agreement with this recommendation and has asked council to begin the process to designate the property under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Councilor Cathy Jeffery said that she is very supportive of the motion, but wanted to make sure that the recommendation goes through the town’s sustainability matrix. 

Councilor Edwards was concerned that attaching a heritage designation to the former Connaught school now could impact the potential sale of the building by the town.  “I’m thinking back to the business plan that was set for the building of the new Contact/Wellness Centre, and I think the sale of that property was a part of that business plan.  If that’s the case, then if this particular property receives a heritage designation, would it affect the value of the property or what could perhaps be done to that property, because that could affect the business plan that was put into the budget” Edwards said.
Mayor Carrier said that it was his understanding that the motion that will come before council to consider this possible heritage designation would address Councilor Edward’s concerns.

Deputy Mayor Sandra Cooper agreed with Council Edwards in thinking that the sale of former Connaught School property was a part of the development of the new health and fitness centre at Heritage Park.

Councilor Norm Sandberg took issue with comments made by Councilor Edwards and Deputy Mayor Cooper.  “I really can’t believe that I’m hearing the one argument.  I agree with the staff report, but I can’t believe that we would consider not designating a building because it may not be as saleable as it would be without the designation, because of that argument is successfully made at this council table, how could we possibly in any good conscience uphold any of the heritage designations on individual buildings or the heritage conservation district itself, because if the council of the municipality is not concerned about heritage buildings, how could the council possibly and justifiably require that of a private property owner” Sandberg said.

Mayor Carrier reminded Council that there wasn’t a motion in front of council to make a decision as to whether or not to designate the building as a heritage building.  Staff will further investigate the matter before it arrives back at the council table for more discussion.

Mr. Lex is currently restoring the former Tremont Hotel in Collingwood.