17 June 2007
Time Running Out for Railway Building
Kentville Nova Scotia - Jay Underwood sees a bit of hope
in the battle over the historic railway roundhouse building.
But the clock is ticking toward its demolition, unless money can be found to restore and maintain the aged structure.
"It's hopeful, I think," the president of the Nova Scotia Railway Heritage Society said. "That's the best picture we
can paint on it."
Mr. Underwood was responding to Mayor David Corkum's statement Thursday that the building will be demolished after
1 Jul 2007 unless a group or individual can guarantee the money to restore and maintain it.
Mr. Corkum said he understands the passion for the building and interest in the history of the railway, but the decision is a financial
one and council is not prepared to thrust the cost onto its taxpayers.
The town "sympathizes" with the wishes of many people to keep the building, but "the reality is the Town of Kentville
cannot afford to retain the roundhouse," he said in an interview.
"We are conscious of our railway heritage and we are fortunate to have the Cornwallis Inn to commemorate that."
But the mayor left a small door open.
He said he will call a special meeting to reconsider the decision if "any government or group can guarantee the funds for
restoration and ongoing maintenance of the roundhouse" so that the costs are not borne by the citizens.
"Unless Premier Rodney MacDonald or Prime Minister Stephen Harper or a private group with millions of dollars come forward, it's
business as usual."
Tenders have been received by the town to demolish the roundhouse at a cost of about $100,000.
The town has said all along it cannot afford the millions of dollars required to restore the building. It estimates the cost at $1.5
million just to bring it up to warehouse standards.
"There is an opportunity," said Mr. Corkum, acknowledging that several of the groups lobbying the town have said there are
federal and provincial funds available.
"But the bottom line is, show me the money. We understand the passionate pleas, but unfortunately we have to make decisions with
our heads, not with our hearts."
Mr. Underwood said the town has not allowed much time.
"I don't know if there are any guarantees in life, but we'll certainly attempt it," he said when contacted at his Elmsdale
home.
He said he was hoping the town would give a "stay of execution" to the building after all the pleas Wednesday night. Groups
who asked for a reprieve for the building included the Roundhouse Action Group, Railway Heritage Society, Nova Scotia Heritage Trust,
Museum of Industry, and Kings Historical Society.
Council also considered letters from the Nova Scotia Industrial Heritage Society, Minister of Tourism and Heritage Len Goucher, and a
historian from Acadia University. And council was presented a petition with 666 names.
The roundhouse was built in the early part of the last century and was once a hub of activity where locomotives were rotated on a
turntable. The railway properties were turned over to the town with the abandonment of the Dominion Atlantic Railway.
The building, circa 1916, is the last of its kind in Nova Scotia. A similar roundhouse in Vancouver has been turned into a
$9-million arts and cultural centre.
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