The partial roof collapsed of the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre on Feb. 21 could mean Elliot Lake would look at incorporating the museum and theatre into a new multiplex also known as the Hub.
The issue was raised at Elliot Lake council Monday evening by CAO Dan Gagnon who recommended council take a look at increasing the planned footage of the proposed $41 million sportsplex to include a theatre, museum and arts facilities. The original plan for the sportsplex was to house an arena, curling rink, pool and recreational space. The report to council came from its Ad Hoc Community Hub Committee.
In his report, Gagnon noted, “In light of the loss of much, if not all, of the cultural spaces in the Civic Centre for an indefinite time,” the committee has recommended to council that the arts and culture program space from the Civic Centre,” be factored into the proposed multi-purpose recreational hub.”
After some discussion from council, it was determined Gagnon would look at the cost of expanding the sportsplex which will require funding from the provincial and federal governments and the city. Under the original plan, without the add-ons, council had received a commitment from the former Liberal government to fund up to one-third of the cost. That funding commitment has been put on hold by the Conservative government until it puts forward its budget.
Mayor Dan Marchisella said the city has until an April 6 deadline to put in a new plan to the Doug Ford government.
ElliotLakeToday will have more on this story tomorrow morning.
Gagnon said in an update of the civic centre building that limited access was granted on Friday and Saturday for tenants to remove files and other materials. Groups that took out equipment included the pottery and weaver groups and Community Living Algoma which had confidential files in its office on the second floor in the north part of the civic centre. The north side of the building has been found to be structurally sound.
The south side where the roof collapsed has been closed off on a Ministry of Labour order isolating what remains of the destroyed theatre and the Mining Museum in the basement underneath.
The city also removed several historical items, including files, paintings and old equipment used during the mining boom from storage space in the basement.
Gagnon said the building was closed off entirely at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
The CAO said further engineering and insurance work is needed in the south side to determine the extent of damage to the trusses
“The insurers know of our desire to remove artifacts from the museum,” he said.
The north side of the building that Gagnon said is considered the “safe side,” could see partial heat restored and plumbing inspected to ensure the portion remains safe and intact to “protect what is salvageable.”
With weather conditions constantly changing, ”the building needs to be monitored continuously,” he said.
He said the city is assisting tenants who no longer can be in the civic centre to find other accommodation.
In a related matter, Gagnon said the city continues to move ahead with snow removal from roofs of its buildings with the OPP and firehall cleaned off over the past week and the city hall roof expected to be cleared by the end of the week.
Partial snow clearing will be done on the Centennial arena which will remain closed for the “foreseeable future.”