Old VIC heading down the road

The power of information, as well as the voice of constituents, gave the Region of Queens Second thoughts about not selling the old Visitor Information Centre.

Last week, The Advance reported the old VIC was not going to be sold, because the building had salvageable parts. Brad Rowter, Director of Engineering and Works, told council there was about $1,000 worth of material, and would cost $250 for them to tear down. Two bids, $2 and $25, were rejected for being too low.

Since Committee of the Whole however, councillors decided that was not the best course of action.

Counc. Bruce Inglis spoke in favour of selling the building during Committee of the Whole, and voiced his concern again in Council.

Counc. Inglis says the Region is trying to lead by example by following three R’s. He added they didn’t know the real cost of storing the reusable parts, tearing the rest down, and the unnecessary space used in the landfill. “I’m not convinced it’s worth it.”

Other councillors heard from their constituents on the issue, many speaking in favour of selling the building.

Counc. Owen Hamlin voted against selling the building originally, but says in light of the opposition he wanted to see more exact figures on what the cost of saving the parts and demolishing it would be. However the information was not available and the motion had to take place that day, so he voted to sell it.

Counc. Hamlin added it has a positive aspect to have the building moved, because it becomes a taxable item

Counc. Darlene Norman also spoke in favour of selling the building both in Committee of the Whole and in Council “It is a big deal that we prevent this from going to the landfill. We teach recycling is the way to go in Nova Scotia.”

The lone opposition was Counc. Peter Waterman, who still wanted the Region to salvage what they could from the building.

Just before the motion was made, Chief Administrative Officer David Clattenburg pointed out other structures could have used the materials from the building. Two that were brought up were the Port Medway building, needing doors and other materials that could have been salvaged from the VIC, and Thorburne needing new toilets. “It isn’t a net gain of $25, because those materials will have to be purchased down the road with taxpayers dollars.”

Counc. Sheldon Brannen suggested in the future the Region put it a minimum bid when putting things out for sale, to avoid this kind of situation.

The motion was made to accept the higher offer of $25, and passed 9-1. The building was sold to T&J Delany Contracting Ltd., who expected to have it moved by Sunday morning.