Not a lot of support is being expressed for saving the historic wing at St. Mary’s high school in Owen Sound.
Chair of the Planning advisory committee Deb Haswell admits even in the Catholic community, there seems to be little support for a heritage designation.
The city is moving to save the 1891 portion of the building, and has gone thru the first step with the Heritage Conservation review board at Queens Park.
A pre-hearing session involving the Heritage review board was held in late February, but Haswell says that was basically just to allow the city and the Bruce Grey Catholic school board a chance to state their positions.
A second pre-hearing is set for May 6th, when some negotiating will take place and then a recommendation will go to Owen Sound council.
Haswell says despite very limited support for council’s move to designate the site she isn’t about to give up, and will let the pre-hearing go ahead.
The Catholic school board doesn’t want the property saved and filed it’s objection to the move by city hall to protect the 1891 structure under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Haswell says St. Mary’s wouldn’t necessarily be saved because of it’s structural significance, but more it’s cultural impact on Owen Sound.