Aurora examining future uses for heritage buildings
Yorkregion.com
May 6, 2016
By Teresa Latchford
The repurposing of five Aurora heritage buildings could cost close to $11 million, according to a new study.
The 50-page study conducted by AECOM, outlining the options to transform the town’s former library, former seniors’ centre, Victoria Hall, Petch House and Armoury into functional spaces, will officially be presented to council by AECOM’s Arthur Diamond May 10 in council chambers.
The dollar figure comes from the order-of-magnitude estimates - a costing method used in the early stages of a project when the precise value is unknown - and includes the cost to renovate and construct additions on the buildings as well as accompanying site works and features.
The study includes the historical significance of all five facilities, potential concepts and uses, evaluations, recommended purposes and conceptual drawings on top of the cost estimates.
“Located in city cores, historic buildings are key to urban revitalization and renewal, and to sustainable development,” the study states. “Through the revitalization of old buildings for new restaurants, shops, offices and residences, communities can generate income and create trendy, visually and socially interesting areas.”
The Aurora Cultural Centre, a former schoolhouse, Baldwins Sports Grill, a former mill, and the Old Post Office, that now houses commercial space, were all cited as examples of repurposing heritage buildings where the intended use is no longer relevant.
“Repurposing of existing and older buildings to serve new means can seem to be expensive at first glance,” the report continued.
Repurposing buildings of historic, cultural and sentimental value is a much better use of unique buildings over spending more on demolition and constructing new facilities that will look no different from ones seen in the next town or across the continent, the report said.
Public meetings, conversations with user groups and survey results were used to help AECOM identify the needs of the community and possible facility uses.
FUTURE USES?
The Petch House:
Option A includes a tourism centre, gift shop, small boutique coffee house and patio.
Option B would require the construction of a new public skating path and the building would serve as change rooms, providing service to skaters, rollerbladers and hikers.
The Armoury:
Option A involves creating a multi-purpose facility housing an art gallery, studios, reception hall, small café and community centre granted to the Air Cadets for use.
Option B includes an urban winery or brewery pub.
Victoria Hall:
The acoustic features lend itself to housing arts, poetry sessions, music classes and a small dance studio for children.
The creation of Victoria Cultural Plaza in the open space near the hall, former library and former seniors’ centre, including a glass canopy connecting the three buildings.
Former Seniors’ Centre:
A dedicated clubhouse for two individual clubs that would require a complete renovation of the interior of the building.
