Prince Edward County council is seeking to preserve two historic buildings significant to the County.
Council approved a motion on Tuesday night brought forward by Councillor Ernie Margetson to ask the provincial government to “seek innovative options for preservation of the Hyatt and MacDonald houses as an alternative to demolition, respect municipal strategic priorities and planning policy regarding cultural heritage to ensure building preservation, and to pursue a protection strategy for these provincially owned heritage assets.”
Margetson noted the municipality’s Corporate Strategic Plan includes a clause which states maintaining rural and historic character is a priority, with an objective to support and facilitate adaptive reuse of heritage assets and discourage demolitions.
Peter Lockyer spoke on behalf of the Save Heritage Sandbanks Homes group and stated this past May Ontario Parks announced a new program where the province will work with partners in the private and not for profit sectors to develop innovative ideas for new recreation experiences at provincial parks.
He noted some results of a survey undertaken by the group.
“The results are showing over 95% in support of repurposing the heritage homes; more than 90% believe that the restored houses would add to the visitor experience; and about 90% believe the repurposed houses would provide an economic benefit to both the County and Sandbanks Provincial Park.”
Margetson’s motion stated the Hyatt and MacDonald houses provide historical context for the history of Sandbanks Provincial Park as a centre for summer lodges and recreation and a direct connection to the current vibrant tourist activity in the Sandbanks area.
The Prince Edward County Heritage Advisory Committee also recommended that Ontario Parks seek the creation of a joint public/private partnership to restore and repurpose the two properties.
The new Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is the Honorable David Piccini, MPP of Northumberland-Peterborough South, and he has been involved in conserving and repurposing local heritage in his own riding.
