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Committees in Elliot Lake look at replacing ruined Civic Centre

To date, the insurer hasn't said what number is being offered as a cash settlement
2019-05-28ElliotLakeCivicCentre01KS
ElliotLakeToday file photo of work conducted on the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre after the roof collapsed in February, 2018. Kris Svela for ElliotLakeToday

At a City of Elliot Lake meeting set for this week, members of the City's Museum Board and Arts and Culture Advisory Committee will look at the choices to replace city-owned space lost after last February's roof collapse at the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre. 

In a memo to the committees, Elliot Lake CAO Daniel Gagnon noted, "While planning for a new sports and recreation facility has been ongoing for years, the Pearson Centre roof collapse has forced the City to grapple with how and when to replace the arts and culture hub of the community."

Gagnon continued, "In coming weeks, Council will be forced to make a decision between repairing the Civic Centre (to replace what was lost or damaged - theatre, museum, numerous arts spaces) or constructing a new building that would house the same or similar components."

Gagnon continued to say that either option will be funded largely by the city's insurance policy.  He added that based on comments from the city's insurer, "It is anticipated the cost to repair the Civic Centre will be approximately $3.7 million." That would be in addition to the costs to date to secure the site and conduct the partial demolition, security, etc. So the CAO said the true actual loss is just over $5 million. 

To date, the insurer hasn't said what number is being offered as a cash settlement.

Gagnon said the concept of a new build is based on the likely demolition of the Civic Centre. He believes that would be possible by virtue of new funding from a Canadian Cultural Spaces grant, via the federal Department of Canadian Heritage. 

There is no funding deadline for such grants but funds for the 2020 fiscal year are already committed, while 2021 is still open. The fund would cover up to 50 per cent of the City's insurance funding. He said that money would look after 50 per cent of construction and equipment costs for the theatre, museum, and arts spaces.

In addition, said Gagnon, "The funding for the arts/culture components are separate and not part of the funding pitch for the sports/recreational hub anticipated (from Queen's Park) this fall."

These and other issues are up for consideration at a joint meeting of the Elliot Lake Museum Board/Arts and Culture Advisory Committee Thursday afternoon at Elliot Lake City Hall.



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About the Author: Brent Sleightholm

As a reporter, Brent has covered everything from amateur and professional sports, to politics, entertainment, police and courts, to human interest stories and government issues
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