Renfrew Ontario - The Renfrew CP caboose, which is referred to by some residents as "the little train that could," did in fact live up to its nickname after Renfrew town council met on 21 Jun 2022 and with a vote of 5-2, the caboose is out of the scrapyard.
 
The future of the caboose was first raised in early 2021 when the town's recreation director, Kevin Hill, was directed by council to explore all options for the caboose which has remained closed for several years because of accessibility issues and extensive water damage inside the vehicle.
 
When he made his initial report to council, Hill provided various quotes to rehabilitate the caboose and one of the quotes was in excess of $600,000.
 
He also provided council with the option of removing the unit, and either designate it as surplus, or sell it directly to a scrapyard and recoup $4,000.
 
Hill noted that his department was never directed over the last 15 years to maintain the site, or address any structural concerns.
 
With no direct maintenance on the caboose, it fell into a state of disrepair leading council to make a decision on its future.
 
Over the course of a year, the caboose was brought up at various meetings with council unable to make a decision on its future.
 
This lack of action led Coun. Arlene Jamieson to request a notice of motion with the intent to make a decision once and for all.
 
In one of the very few meetings held inside the council chambers since COVID forced council to hold the majority of meetings virtually, Mayor Don Eady called the committee of the whole to order and read out the motion which called for the removal of the caboose and sold to a scrapyard, or allow the unit to be sold to the highest amount offered.
 
After the motion was received, Mayor Eady invited councillors Jamieson and Sandi Heins to present their respective reports on the future of the caboose.
 
Jamieson Proposes Third Party Ownership
 
Jamieson stated she wanted the caboose to remain at the park, but proposed having a third party take ownership of the caboose.
 
Her plan included the conversion of the unit into some type of tourist attraction which could include converting the caboose into an accommodation site that is booked out for tourists to spend an evening sleeping in the car.
 
Under this model, the town would still retain ownership of the park and the committee would be responsible for the maintenance of the site.
 
"I really think we can make this work by going back and looking at some of the offers to buy the train that Director Hill received when we first started this," she said.
 
"If we can sell the caboose, and the buyer can make something work there, then the town is not on the hook for costs, and we don't have to worry about accessibility. It is a win-win for all parties."
 
Heins Lobbies for Community Involvement
 
One of the conditions for the special meeting to proceed called for Heins to produce a certificate of insurance at the meeting.
 
Councillors have been requesting the certificate in light of environmental concerns and liability.
 
Heins produced the certificate for council to examine and town clerk Kim Bulmer said it was satisfactory for the project to move forward if council chose to do so.
 
Heins previously served as mayor from 1998 until 2010 and was also a councillor when the caboose was placed in Haramis Park.
 
As the spokesperson for the community group, she provided a five-part plan which detailed each individual phase of the restoration and approximate cost for each phase.
 
"We have a group of dedicated volunteers who are anxious to see the caboose restored, and they are willing to work with council in any capacity in order to get this project off the ground," she said.
 
In addition, the group has financial pledges, and in-kind donors ready to step up and spearhead a community fundraising campaign to remove the current paint, and are "in a state of limbo" waiting for direction from council.
 
Council Debate
 
Coun.Tom Sydney admitted he was on the fence in terms of casting a vote.
 
"We talk about the railway legacy, we used to have two train stations, but the previous councils did not see value, and they were torn down, and the railway lines were ripped out, and under this plan the cost is $36,000 just to sandblast," he said.
 
"Then there will be more costs, and more repairs, and in the end the town will likely be liable for maintaining it, and we would be setting a precedent for other groups."
 
Mayor Eady indicated he was satisfied if the town were to lend the group $36,000 on the condition they pay back the money used for sandblasting, then he would vote in favour of keeping it.
 
Coun. Andrew Evans recalled during his first term of office (2010-2014) the late Jim Miller was a councillor and every chance he had he would share his dream of building an National Hockey Association (NHA)/National Hockey League (NHL) museum to recognize the town as the birthplace of the modern day NHL.
 
"He had a vision and some councillors back then snickered when he outlined his vision," he said.
 
"But council worked with him by donating the second floor of the post office, and it was filled with asbestos and inaccessible, but Jim worked around those issues. I think we should grant Sandi (Heins) and her group the same courtesy and work with the committee."
 
Coun. Mike Coulas, a strong opponent of maintaining the caboose, warned of escalating costs.
 
"There are going to be ongoing costs that will never stop and I am afraid that after five or 10 years the group may not have the same passion they do today, and that council will find themselves right back to where we are today," he said.
 
Reeve Peter Emon said the caboose is an asset just like any town asset, and if council votes to keep the caboose on site, then it must be treated like any asset, and that means regular maintenance and a line in the budget.
 
"The caboose can remain locked, and that will solve the accessibility concerns, and this community group is similar to others that have raised money for recreational causes, and their role is to fund-raise and assist in programming or whatever is needed, and they can work with staff to define their volunteer roles," he said.
 
A recorded vote was taken on the motion to remove the caboose and with only councillors Coulas and Jamieson voting in favour, the motion failed.
 
Council was then asked to vote on a motion to keep the caboose with conditions for the volunteer committee and financial stipulations.
 
It was agreed to table the motion in order for the clerk to craft a motion with the proper wording and conditions so that council is crystal clear on what they are voting for.
 
The motion will be brought forward at the next council meeting.
 
Bruce McIntyre.