Thunder Bay heritage building gets council approval for demolition

Superior Morning5:12Going Going Gone

Thunder Bay City Council reluctantly gave Trinity United Church permission to demolish it's 100 year old historic manse. The congregation say they can't afford the upkeep;

City councillors in Thunder Bay on Monday struggled with the idea of demolishing a local heritage building, but eventually decided to go ahead with the plan.

At their meeting Monday night, councillors gave the green light to Trinity United Church to tear down its manse. The century-old building that formerly served as the minister's home is in need of about $200,000 in repairs.

The church said it cannot afford to bring the designated heritage building up to code. Churchgoers who attended the council meeting said the church has raised about $258,000 from members in recent years, to keep the church itself in good shape.

There are about 158 current members of the congregation.

Council was told the church has spent about $550,000 since the 1970s on the main church.

The cost to demolish the building is $25,000. In contrast, it would cost $200,000 to bring the building up to code, congregation members reported.

United Church of Canada gives go-ahead

Coun. Andrew Foulds voted against the demolition. He wanted administration to work with the church to sell the property.

"Because this has a heritage designation  — [and] I accept your comments that there is no value to you — that heritage aspect has a value to this community."

But the church has received approval from the United Church of Canada to demolish the manse, which congregation members say hasn't been used as a home for the minister for close to three decades.

Coun. Larry Hebert said the province to blame.

The church doesn’t “have the money,” he said. “It's one of the shortcomings of the heritage act. There's no affordability issue anywhere mentioned, or any funding."

‘Once it’s done, it’s done’

Coun. Iain Angus reiterated it was a difficult decision to make. He proposed an amendment to have city administration — within a month — put together options for Trinity to save the building. But the proposal was voted down.

Councillor Aldo Ruberto originally asked the church to try and find a way to maintain the building.

• Historic Trinity United Church manse may be demolished

"I wish you go through all the possibilities before you make that decision. Because once it's done, it's done."

But in the end, Ruberto voted with the majority of council to tear down the structure.

The city could issue a demolition permit to Trinity United within the next week.