Alan Duthie, Ward 5 councillor
By Luke Edwards
A volunteer committee that’s part of the Vittoria and District Foundation believes it can turn the Vittoria Old Town Hall into a viable event space.
Norfolk councillors have approved a staff recommendation to consider selling the building for $1 to a local non-profit. The recommendation would see the county maintain the nearby parkland. Should that option fail, the county will look to sell the parkland and building in a package deal.
A town hall committee that has moved under the foundation has expressed interest in the building.
“People want smaller venues. I know it’s in competition with the community centre but it has a different atmosphere,” said Nancy Racz, a representative from the committee at the Jan. 15 Norfolk budget committee meeting.
The building has a heritage designation, dating back to 1986. The original public hall was built in the 1860s, but burned down, before being rebuilt in 1879, and has been standing ever since.
Significant work is required on the building. Council approved $300,000 in capital work on the building in 2022. However, before that work could get under way, staff realized there was far more work required than initially thought. Estimates ballooned to $825,000, which would likely be more now with inflation.
There’s also another estimated $245,000 required in the next 20 years.
Staff believe there’s enough capacity in the nearby Vittoria and District Community Centre to absorb what the old town hall was being used for, based on 2023 numbers.
Still, Racz believes there’s opportunity, suggesting the hall could host small wedding receptions, birthday and anniversary parties, meetings and recreational events like yoga and Zumba. Her committee plans to apply for grants and utilize fundraising to help cover costs. Racz said they can also begin revenue generation as soon as three major projects - on the windows, one corner of the building and the washroom - are complete.
Norfolk councillors were wary about the plan. Coun. Alan Duthie questioned the committee about their plans to collect $275,000 in grants, and what would happen if they were unable to secure those grants.
“I certainly see the passion, which I appreciate. I’m just a little concerned. Obviously there are operating costs, etc., that go along with that,” Duthie said.
Racz said should they fail in year one they’ll try again in year two, and focus on pledges and fundraising in the meantime.
“We have a person on our team who is quite familiar with that, applying for grants and things, and they’re quite hopeful that it would go through,” she said.
The committee is also hoping to receive the $300,000 that was originally budgeted to help kickstart work.
Should the committee be unable to make a go of it, the county would retain first right of refusal.
Staff estimate selling the entire property could net $520,000 or more.
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