There’s finally a new owner of the old Meaford Fire Hall on Nelson Street.
It’s taken over a year — but the Stanley Knight Heritage Society has purchased the building for 120-thousand dollars.
Meaford Mayor Francis Richardson says he’s very pleased with the arrangement.
He says the Heritage Society plans to use the 122 year old building as an archiving facility for various artifacts and will maintain it as a heritage building.
However, not all of council was in favour of the transaction.
Councillor Jim McPherson says the sale price was considerably lower than the appraisal, the value of which he says cannot be disclosed.
McPherson says the property had not been delineated or even surveyed, and so bidders were unable to submit offers that would have represented the market value.
But he does agree the Heritage Society’s plans for the building will be a great asset to the municipality.
The Meaford Fire Department hasn’t been using the building since 2003, when they moved to 56 Stewart Street.
Then on June 28th of this year, the department moved to a brand new 700-thousand dollar facility at 81 Stewart Street.
Mayor Richardson says there’s no comparison between the old and new facilities and the staff are delighted.
An open house and dance will be held at the new Fire Hall on September 19th.