The Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen has temporarily closed the historic Old Town Hall in Havelock after a structural engineering firm deemed it unsafe for use.
Township mayor Jim Martin announced the temporary closure in an official statement on Monday (March 10) after releasing a video statement on March 8.
Located at 1 Mathison Street West in Havelock, the building was constructed in 1900 and is currently use by community groups for meetings and other events.
In 2022, township council decided to keep and repair the building rather than sell or demolish it. Last September, council authorized a building assessment study to evaluate its safety. On February 18, Accent Building Sciences completed a building envelope and roof condition assessment report that council reviewed on March 4.
Two days later, Accent Building Sciences issued a letter recommending that the building be closed to the public and deemed unsafe until required structural remediation measures are completed, On March 7, the township issued an order prohibiting the use or occupancy of an unsafe building.
“Accent Building Sciences, the structural engineering and building science firm and author of the report, confirmed that while there are no visible signs the building will fail in the near future, it must undergo a number of structural remediation measures to remain safe,” Mayor Martin said in his video statement.
“The engineering firm has directed, that until these repairs are made, the building will be temporarily closed and deemed unsafe for use. We are in the process of taking the necessary steps to block (it) off and ensure public safety and taking every precaution to prevent access until the repairs and necessary remediation measures are complete.”
Accent Building Sciences has estimated a low-end cost of $850,000 to a high-end cost of $1.1 million to complete all the repairs. The township is estimating it will cost $80,000 to complete further investigation and inspections to determine the repairs required to meet current regulations.
The township recently completed a $40,000 roofing project and installed a new accessible ramp, which required remedial work on the west wall discovered during installation, totaling $70,000.
In his official statement, Mayor Martin stated the township would be taking a “phased approach over time,” focusing on the more important repairs “so that we can resume use of the hall safely and without too much inconvenience to residents.”
Any costs and timelines will be communicated and review during council meetings.
“As you can imagine, to address the most pressing Town Hall remediation measures now is challenging, especially given that the Township is currently managing several transformative projects in various stages of delivery,” the mayor said.
“Among them are the George Street reconstruction and new drainage infrastructure, the HBM Community Centre expansion and improvement, the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion, and the new Outdoor Sports Complex. These are exciting initiatives that will shape the future of our community, but we also understand the historic importance of our Old Town Hall and are dedicated to ensuring it remains a safe and cherished landmark.”
The mayor, who asked for the “continued support and patience” of residents, said township staff will work with displaced community groups, including the Mid-Week Jammers, 1st Havelock Scouts, and the Celebrate Havelock Committee, to find alternative meeting spaces.
