Heritage designation approved for Nobleton Community Hall
By Bill Rea

King councillors have agreed the Nobleton Community Hall should be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Councillors had little trouble Monday night endorsing the recommendations of the Township's Heritage Committee for the building, and that recommendation had been accompanied by a letter of support from the Nobleton Women's Institute, one of the regular users of the facility.

The committee stated the hall met the criteria for designation that have been set out under the act.

In their letter, they stated it was built in 1936 for and by the community on land that had been donated by a resident.

"A rare example of a Depression era institutional building, the Nobleton Community Hall plays an integral role in physically representing community volunteer spirit and civic pride, while serving as a landmark on Old King Road," the committee stated.

The future of the building was called into question a couple of weeks ago when comments were made, during Township budget discussions, that it might be used for storage. Municipal staff have reported some work needs to be done in such areas as the roof and kitchen of the structure. As well, there will have to be steps taken to make it accessible, but that won't have to be accomplished for several years.

"At no time has there been any suggestion to demolish any Township facility," Township Clerk Chris Somerville stated in her report to council. "Staff has suggested that in the interest of better serving the greater community, consideration of alternate use might be made."

There was plenty of support for the designation from around the council table.

Councillor Jane Underhill pointed out there's "a huge emotional attachment" to the hall in the community, adding there are few other places in the village that can accommodate meetings.

Councillor Jack Rupke said he didn't want to see the hall demolished, but he did suggest its uses be evaluated over the next couple of years. He pointed out older buildings require a lot to maintain them and bring them up to standards.

Somerville told him the designation will not impact on the uses that can take place in the building.

Parks, Recreation and Culture Director Catherine Purcell said building department officials told her it would cost in the area of $600,000 to address all the issues with the hall, including the roof, kitchen, electrical wiring, sewer connections, the parking lot, washrooms, heating upgrades, etc. She also told Rupke the hall only made a little more than $11,000 in revenues last year. She added there are only so many uses the building could practically be put to, and she didn't think it could make enough money to cover operating and capital costs.

Councillor Jeff Laidlaw said he questioned the $600,000 figure, but he and other councillors agreed that really didn't have anything to do with the designation.