10 July 2010

McAdam Railway Station Gets Good News from MP

The ex-Canadian Pacific Railway station at McAdam, New Brunswick.

McAdam New Brunswick - The Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest brought good news to the McAdam Railway Station on Friday.
 
Greg Thompson, on behalf of the minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced that the Government of Canada will be investing in infrastructure improvements at the McAdam Railway Station, which has been designated a national, provincial, and railway historic site.
 
The $209,500 contribution by Parks Canada has been set aside for the conservation project, which involves the repair of the roof, floor, windows, and masonry together with the canopies surrounding the station. When the project is finished, the whole first floor will be completely restored.
 
Thompson congratulated the McAdam Historical Restoration Commission and the community for the work done on the restoration of the castle-like station.
 
"You are really making the best of the money that is invested in this case by the Government of Canada," Thompson said.
 
"The Province has come on board as well. This is one where local management, local craftsmen, and others, and a lot of it volunteer, you really do extract every nickel of worth from the money put into the budget.
 
"The money, for the most part, stays right here in the village. You have really exercised a lot of care and caution on who does the work, with particular attention to detail in terms of preserving the building the way it should be preserved and doing the things the way they should be done to preserve history."
 
The McAdam Railway Station was built in the 1900s. It was expanded in 1910, making it a focal point in the small village. The station is a rare surviving example of a combined railway station and hotel, and is now owned by the McAdam Historical Restoration Commission.
 
McAdam Mayor Frank Carroll said the village continues to build on its heritage.
 
"McAdam continues to make what has been in our past so important that we continue to build on it and to grow in the future," said Carroll.
 
"This building is an icon and a Canadian national treasure. A treasure in this little village that will do so much in the years ahead to renew our economic stability, to treasure the heritage that we have, and share it with the rest of the world.
 
"That is exactly what we are doing here today and have been doing here."
 
Carroll said the station is about $10 million away from completion.
 
So far, about $1.5 million has been spent, and already tourists are coming to see the century-old Chateau-style railway station and hotel building.
 
"We are really excited about the work on the outside canopies that are going to be redone back to their original form without the vertical posts," said Greg Davidson, executive director of the McAdam Historical Restoration Commission.
 
"Work will be completed on the platform area and down around the baggage area with doors, windows, floor, roof, and some masonry work."
 
Engineers will be called in to make assessments to restore the area.
 
Brenda MacMinn.