The Omemee & District Lions Club has announced its custodianship of the historic Omemee train station and its plans to renovate and restore the building.
A media release states the club plans to transform the building to become “a community site where current and future generations can learn about their local history, and where local tourism can be promoted.”
Omemee was first served by the Port Hope, Lindsay and Beaverton Railway in 1857, which was known as the Midland Railway of Canada as of 1869, and became a shipping point for timber and grain.
The original train station was located outside of the village but, after Omemee was incorporated in 1874, a new station was built within the village. That station and others were either demolished or destroyed by fire.
The current structure, which was built around 1908, served as the village’s train station until the last passenger train passed through Omemee in 1962. It has since been used as a storage building.
The Omemee & District Lions Club is seeking community donations and sponsorships so it can proceed with renovation and restoration plans.
Cheque donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 188, Omemee ON K0L 2W0 and etransfer donations can be sent to omemeelionsclubstation@gmail.com. The club will also have collection boxes available at selected local businesses in the near future.
