Editor:
It is with interest that I read the letters to the editor in recent editions of the Hope Standard regarding the Station House.
When that CN Station house was moved to its present location in 1985 by the Village Arts and Crafts Society, it was done so with a lot of hard work and fundraising. These fundraising efforts included a Mr. Hope contest, a celebrity art auction and even auctioning off the Town Council members to provide services to the lucky bidders.
After it was moved by Nickel Brothers Movers, it was turned into a lovely tea house and art centre where local artists could show and sell their crafts. Dinner nights and music nights were a great success, enjoyed by many in our community and beyond. It was a total hub of activities.
When I heard of the proposed demolition, I called the Nickel Brothers to see if they would give me an estimate on moving it to another location. We met them at the Station House on Jan. 25. After going through the building, I was shocked to see the state it’s in!
Wiring has been ripped out, the kitchen has no equipment left in it, plumbing is smashed, the beautiful wooden walls have been torn out and thrown into piles and even the railing from the beautiful staircase is missing!
The basement area, which once held a variety of different art classes is in pretty much the same state as the upstairs. I don’t understand how a building owned by the town was allowed to get into this shape! The town has spent thousands of dollars on this building in studies and Band-Aid fixes. Maybe they should have spent the money on some security.
Now for the financial crunch. Nickel Brothers estimated to moved the building is $150,000 plus. The basement has to be removed and the sidewalks torn out and then somewhat landscaped. To put it in a new location would involve the cost of the location, building a new foundation and then gutting what’s left on the inside and starting all over again. By the time all is said and done, it will be will in excess of $1 million and more to get it back into original shape.
The town has said it has to be moved or torn down because it cannot stay on that property.
At this time, I would like to say thanks to my fellow Arts and Crafts members who helped get it to where it is today and to say “Hey, we had a great time with all the planning and moving and the years of enjoyment we all got out of it. We should all be proud of ourselves.” The original members who did this monumental task are Fran Simpson, myself, Echo Johnson, Addie Murphy, Grandma Jean Dent, who came up with the idea, Sharon Blythe, Gail Lawton and Alderman Millie Ehlers just to name a few.
If the building has to be torn down, at least we have very fond memories.
Fay Stewart