CLARENVILLE, N.L. — The Town of Clarenville has decided to rescind a demolition order for the old primary school – for the time being.
The future of old primary school building on Pleasant Street was a focus during its Aug. 27 meeting.
Over the past year, the town issued a demolition order to have the unused building torn down – considering the structure to be an unaddressed eyesore.
There were several stumbling blocks which prevented the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) from dealing with the building, namely the ownership. Partnered with the United Church of Canada, as well as the Crown Grant, land use is restricted in the future to church purposes only.
While the demolition order process was in appeal, a NLESD delegation attended a recent public works and planning meeting to find a solution.
At the meeting, the NLESD expressed suggested council lift the demolition order to successfully allow for tendering of the property.
In an email to The Packet, NLESD confirmed it has reached an agreement with the United Church, allowing them to proceed with the structure's disposal through tender.
In addition, the board has also received an amended Crown Grant, removing any restrictions previously placed on the use of the land – specifically that it must be used for church purposes only.
“The District is currently in discussions with the Town to address some town infrastructure on the property and, once that is addressed, we will be in a position to move forward with a tender call,” read the statement.
While council approved a motion to lift the demolition order on the building, it was not a unanimous decision.
Deputy Mayor Heber Smith voted against to the decision, suggesting another delay will only extend what has already been a long endeavor.
“The only way we got any commitment from the school board was when we put in the demolition order,” said Smith at the council meeting. “We were six years (or longer) trying to get them to paint the graffiti.”
He argued the NLESD could still sell the building and have the town lift the demolition order once it's sold.
“If we take (it) away and they don’t get any tenders, then we’re back to square one with the eastern school board again. So I cannot support that motion.”
While it was noted the demolition order can be reissued, council decided to lift the order for the time being.
Coun. John Pickett said he concurs with the deputy mayor on his points; however, he said lifting the demo order gives NLESD a better chance of selling.
“I think we made a great amount of progress with the school issue, granted it’s been a long time coming,” said Pickett.
“I think with school board on side, with the land issues cleared up, with their readiness now to go to tender for the property that’s there, I think it’s only prudent for us to lift the demolition order.”
He added council can always revisit the issue.
“And if it doesn’t sell, council is well within their right to reissue the demolition order, and it may go to appeal and it may not. At the end of the day, if council feels strongly enough about it, they can go down and tear down the building and send the bill to the school board.”
Twitter: @jejparsons
