Sudbury Arts Council concerned about the future of the Bell Mansion
The Sudbury Arts Council is concerned about the future of the Bell Mansion, the current home to the Art Gallery of Sudbury.
The historic mansion is owned by Laurentian University, which is in the midst of an insolvency crisis. As part of that process, the university is reviewing its real estate holdings, with an eye on selling property it doesn't need.
That leaves members of the council wondering what’s going to happen to the site. The heritage building is one of few in the city, an officials with the council said.
“A big part of our concern is that we could wind up losing it completely,” said Linda Cartier.
After the previous owner passed away in 1954, the building was left to the former Memorial Hospital. Within a year, there was a fire that led the hospital to give the mansion to the Mason family, who then found out the property could not be rezoned.
The Masons then sold it to the local chamber of commerce and, after extensive renovations, the chamber gifted the building to Laurentian in 1969.
“They gave this building for one symbolic dollar to the university, and the university signed an agreement that it would become an art gallery,” said Dieter Buse, also with the Sudbury Arts Council.
“So, it became the art gallery. The name has changed a number of times from being the University Art Gallery to being the Art Gallery of Sudbury, which became independent in 1995-96.”
Arts council members said with Laurentian University’s insolvency, it makes them wonder if they will have any say at all.
“The fear that we have is that it could be sold without any public input,” said Buse.
In response to concerns, Laurentian University released this statement:
“Laurentian University is undertaking a full review of its current real estate portfolio as part of the CCAA process. We understand that our real estate holdings have both cultural and community significance.”
Officials with the arts council said in 1984, the city designated the mansion and grounds as a heritage site.
“Which means that nothing can be done to the structure or the appearance of the building without going through city council,” said Buse.
He hopes the building will be left as is, and continue to be used for the cultural purposes it was designated for.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned across Ontario.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.