(Submitted photo/ Bevra Fee)

By Nigel Maxwell

Important landmarks

Vote delayed on Shellbrook CNR station

May 20, 2020 | 3:06 PM

The future of the old CN rail station in Shellbrook remains up in the air, following a decision by town council Tuesday night to delay a critical vote.

As was expected, council discussed a resolution which if passed, would repeal the building’s municipal heritage designation, and essentially open the door for a possible demolition to occur. Council decided instead to table the vote to a later date and Mayor George Tomporowski explained the decision was based on public response.

“We had some inquiries and people wanting some time to perhaps put some proposals together,” he said.

The future of the old rail station was first discussed by paNOW in an article on April 13. At the time, Toporowski explained the $500,000 cost needed to refurbish the building, was just no longer feasible for the community.

Within two weeks, Bevra Fee wrote a letter to council asking for a 90 day delay, and explained to paNOW she thought the museum was not a cost cause. Fee, who works for the Northern Lakes Economic Development Corporation, said she believed if given enough time she could help council lower costs.

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The vote by council Tuesday night allows for a 90 day period for proposals. Tomporowski said council wants to work with the community.

“If there’s some opportunity or some way that [the building] can not be demolished, then that would be a good outcome,” he said.

Construction of the old CN rail station was completed in December 1909 and is one of the town’s earliest buildings. In 1988, the property was a designated Municipal Heritage Property and a group of dedicated volunteers have been helping to keep it running as a museum.

Other council highlights

The provincial government’s recently announced Municipal Economic Enhancement Program will provide $150 million over two years for municipal infrastructure projects.

Shellbrook’s share of the pot works out to about $207,500. Toporowski said the money will come in hand to assist with the steep costs of refurbishing the town’s water treatment plant.

The town is also now in the process of applying for a federal grant.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell