New life for the Mindemoya old school
A century-old building in Mindemoya on Manitoulin Island, will soon get new life due to the hard work and effort of motivated residents.
The not-for-profit 'Friends of the Mindemoya Old School' (FOMOS) said Thursday that it will be signing a lease for the century-old property with the hopes of giving it new life.
"Well, we're really, really excited because last week the council for the municipality approved the 21-year-lease," said group member Allison McAllister.
The building, in the centre of town, has served as a focal point for generations. It was used as classroom space until roughly the late sixties before it was turned into offices.
It sat vacant for the last few years, and it wasn't until some people contemplated tearing it down. The group was formed in hopes of saving it.
It plans to turn it into artisan space, and a place where people can sell their wares in hopes of drawing more tourists to the island.
McAllister said community support has been nothing shy of amazing.
"We did end up with quite a large number of members, about 300, and they're all very enthusiastic about the project. We have a population density of
about 2000, and our support comes from community members who live here full-time," she said.
Supporters include Karen McKenzie, a Mindemoya woman who is also a former student of the school.
"It's just thrilling, I was born and raised here in Mindemoya, lived just up the street. I went to school here in grades one to six, my mom went here to high school, and it just means so much to me that we have saved the school," she said.
There’s no timeline on when they'll be able to complete the necessary work. And, McAllister said it could be up to three years.
The group plans on hiring an architect to help them with the changes that need to be made to the structure.
When it comes to appeal, McKenzie said it's the history.
"Actually, the work has just begun. We've saved the building, and now we have to recreate it, and we're hoping with the news that we have a lease that many people will step forward and say 'okay you've got the lease, let me help," she said.
FOMOS will solicit gifts in kind to help with the renovations while keeping costs low.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.