JANELLE LABELLE
During Monday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, council heard a report from Director of Community Services Stephanie Clark regarding the future of the former water treatment plant on Old Mill Road.
A fire destroyed much of the building on May 8, 2023. Clark’s report recommended that Smiths Falls “direct staff to advance a claim with Intact Public Entities for the complete demolition and proper disposal of the existing structures and contents at 25 Old Mill Road. And further, that staff be directed to make arrangements to salvage and retain ownership of masonry elements of the 1868 stone and 1886 brick structures.”
Councilor Stephen Robinson spoke up in favour of taking this action. After the fire, between May 9 and July 2023, Councilor Robinson surveyed 321 people while walking around town. He kept a record of each conversation, and every time he asked them the same thing: what should the town do with the building?
Six people said they thought the town should save it. 41 said they didn’t know or care. Everyone else said it should be demolished.
In addition to this survey, Robinson said, “this council has done more than enough due diligence to demolish this building.”
Councilor Chris McGuire inquired about the ultimate state of the property following demolition. “Does taking option 1 get rid of all the hazardous materials on the site? What about hazardous materials that remain?”
Not necessarily, CAO Malcolm Morris explained. The underground structures would need to be filled and then covered. They cannot simply be removed, as “the weight of the building is basically a seawall up against the canal. The fill material will stabilize the remaining structures. We do need to confirm that there wouldn’t be any above-ground that would be affected by this demolition.
Our understanding is that it’s all below-ground, but we do need to confirm.”
McGuire was unsatisfied with this possible outcome, which he described as “a sarcophagus with concrete on top.”
CAO Morris pointed out that nobody would be rushing into any decisions or actions. “This is not a quick project. We need to update reports, we need a cultural heritage assessment done – this is probably a 9-12 month project, there will be a lot going on behind the scenes.”
Councilor Jennifer Miller, who chaired the meeting, summed up the council’s discussion. “I think what I hear tonight is that we’d rather have this done right than fast.” She noted that a majority of councilors supported this decision, but asked staff to “bring it back to the table” if any hiccups are encountered.