Pringle House placed on heritage registry
By Bill Rea

The Pringle House

There are a number of people in the community interested in saving the Pringle House in Nobleton from the wrecker's ball, including municipal officials.

Township councillors Monday night voted to put the 124- year-old house on Highway 27 on King's heritage registry. That means the house cannot be demolished for at least 60 days, during which time they hope engineering studies can be conducted and reviewed to ascertain the structural soundness of the building.

Director of Building Services Brian Grubbe said it would cost the Township about $2,500 to get its own study done, and Elaine Robertson, chair of the Township of King Heritage Committee, said she would see if the committee could come up with some contribution to that expense. Mayor Margaret Black was worried that commissioning such a study for this house could create a precedent, and she commented on the need to come up with a policy in case another issue like this comes up.

The report from the Township clerk's department stated this house was considered for inclusion on the registry almost a year ago, but the owners, Maria Gallo and her husband, raised concerns and council agreed to defer its inclusion. The report added there is a conceptual plan, involving four properties in the area. there was a meeting late last year, at which this plan was discussed, and the report said the Gallos expressed concern about the restoration costs, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of the old building.

Robertson addressed council Monday night, stressing the need to have the house on the registry. She added research was conducted last year, and a number of points of heritage value were identified.

Architect Ian McGillivray has also recently inspected the house, and thought it was sound.

"I would confirm my opinion, this house is in good to excellent condition with no significant visible structural problems, with the possible exception of the west extension," he wrote in his report to Robertson, which was added to council's agenda package Monday night.

Robertson also read letters of support from the Nobleton Women's Institute, stressing the need to preserve the house. "No one will say 'let's go to Nobleton to look at the plaza,'" the letter stated.

There was also a letter of support from the King Township Historical Society, in which the house was referred to as a "landmark of the Victorian period."

But Gallo countered the structure isn't as sound as McGillivray seems to believe, as she pointed out they can't even get the house insured. She also argued there are some features of the house that were not part of the original building, including the canopy at the front. Gallo said there is a crack on one side of the building, and the chimney isn't safe either. She also wondered if the people interested in preserving the heritage of the house are prepared to put up money for the upkeep.

She also said they have been trying to rent the house out for more than a year, but that's impossible, especially since insurance is not available, although they are trying to get another company to provide coverage.

Gallo told Councillor Cleve Mortelliti there was no reason given for the insurance being cancelled, adding she would like some report on that.

She also told Councillor Jeff Laidlaw the prospect of the house being including on the registry worried her. Once that happens, she said, "I'm no longer the owner of this house."

Councillor Jane Underhill told her inclusion on the registry would allow time to have independent inspection of the house.

Clerk Chris Somerville said inclusion offers a level of protection. If the reports conclude there's something wrong with the structure, then it can be removed from the registry.

"We're just trying to deal with a very difficult situation," Black observed.