Remembrance Day 2011 at the Royal Canadian Legion

A dramatic last minute change of heart saved the former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute restoration project from being scrapped and the historic building from being slated for demolition.

After deferring the decision from the August council meeting, the final decision took place at the September 4 South Dundas council meeting. 

By the slimmest of margins South Dundas council voted to pursue the renovation of the old high school in Morrisburg.

At the meeting when the mayor first returned discussions to the table after the deferral, the majority opted to start over with a new plan.

When the mayor asked each council member to state their position for discussion before the final vote, deputy mayor Jim Locke and councillors Evonne Delegarde and Archie Mellan were in favour of scrapping the renovation project, tearing down the historic building, and starting the process from scratch with a view to constructing a new, smaller building.

Locke said, “I’ve done a lot of thinking on it, and I’ve come to the firm conclusion that it would be in the best interest of our taxpayers to invest in replacing the three storey portion of that building.” 

He suggested tearing down the old high school and building a much smaller new building to accommodate the municipality’s needs, excluding the library.

The relocation of the Morrisburg library branch to part of the vacated Morrisburg clinic space was one of the planned spin-off projects of the renovation.

Councillor Graham, who was firmly in favour of the restoration of the former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute at the August meeting, did not change his position.

He explained that, although it is a big project with a lot of money involved, in the worst cased scenario, the municipality will be looking to finance about $2 million, once the income from the agreement with the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic doctors and other internal funding allocations are taken into account.

“If we are lucky enough to be successful in our grant application, then we will only be looking for $1 million in our budget,” said Graham. “I don’t think we can afford to build new.” 

In his estimation, with a new build they would be looking for much more from the municipality’s budget. “Our budget couldn’t sustain $7 million. Restoring that building is the best thing, and the right thing to do for this community.”

The August 14 report to council showed that a new build of a 25,000 square foot building would likely cost between $6 and $7.5 million.

Councillor Delegarde continued to support a new build.

“The gap between rehabilitating the old building and building a new building is down to about half a million dollars to me,” she said explaining that she would like to see a 15,000 square foot one storey building like that of South Stormont.

“She’s a grand old, well built building, but I think it’s time we say goodbye to the old girl and build new,” said councillor Archie Mellan, who was struggling with this difficult  decision.

With three council members sharing the same opinion, South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds said that although it appeared he was not going to get the opportunity to break a tie vote, he still wanted to make his opinion known.

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“I have faith in the work that has been done, in the skills of the firm, in the engineering that has been done and in the building,” said Mayor Byvelds. 

He added that resetting the project for a different one and delaying it for at least another year was a major challenge for him, and one that he took seriously into account through his decision making process. 

“I am disappointed to see council going in the direction they are going,” said councillor Graham. “If you do this, we’ve lost all the money we’ve put into the studies and plans, and are adding demolition costs. And, now what do we do for the doctors? If we do this, we could be looking at delaying having something for them two to three more years down the road. With this decision, we would be throwing a lot of money out the window.”

Councillor Archie Mellan then spoke up. 

“I’ve changed my mind on this six times today and I’m going to change my mind again,” he said. “I’d hate to see us lose that old building. I want to see the old high school kept. I’m not going to let her go. I say rehabilitate it. Let’s keep the old high school. I’m not going to change my mind again.”

After a recorded vote, requested by Delegarde, Mayor Byvelds said, “I know this was a challenging decision, but now we have voted as a council to move forward with this project.”

“I will support council’s decision 100 percent through this project,” added deputy mayor Locke. “We all ride the horse in the same direction, that’s the only way this works.” 

Council passed a motion to allow staff to negotiate with Robert J. Bourgeon & Associates Ltd., the contractor that submitted the lowest bid of $3,857,000 to get the renovation project started.

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Playhouse favourite Leisa Way and her fabulous Wayward Wind Band have wowed audiences with their live tributes to Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton. Their upcoming country concert, Country Jukebox, running May 2-13 at Upper Canada Playhouse, promises to give audiences more than their money’s worth by performing hit songs from no less than 25 famous country stars.

It will be like the Grand Ole Opry.

Way and her talented band of musicians and singers will perform the greatest hits from one of the biggest line-ups of country stars you’ll ever find in one show. 

“I think this will be their best concert yet. There’s so much in it,” said artistic director Donnie Bowes.  “Folks really liked the Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton shows, but this time the show is packed with fabulous music from everyone’s favourite singers. There’s such a variety of hit songs, that it’s hard to know where to start.”

Among others, the concert will feature renditions of famous duos and hits from the likes of Roy Orbison, k.d. lang, Shania Twain, Bryan White, Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Brooks & Dunn, Everly Brothers, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette and George Jones.

In addition to all these great classics, Leisa and the Band will perform the world premier of a new Ray Mercey song from the Mercey Brothers written just for this concert. 

Star Leisa Way’s career has taken her to theatres across North America and in 50 other nations. She toured the Charlottetown Festival’s Anne of Green Gables as Anne, in performances which included the British Royal Family.Her Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton concerts have played in countless theatres since appearing here at Upper Canada Playhouse. She is an extraordinary talent.

Like Way, the members of her band are all stellar musicians and singers. 

Musical director and pianist Bruce Ley, was with the Tommy Hunter and the Ronnie Prophet shows. He has worked with such greats as Don Everly, Chet Atkins and Brenda Lee. He is also the composer of music for television including Polka Dot Door and Sesame Street.

Drummer Dave Wilson has performed in some of Toronto’s biggest musicals, from Miss Saigon to Mama Mia, Les Mierables to Beauty and the Beast. He has also written music for Ellen DeGeneres and the Tyra Banks show.

Kim Ratcliffe, guitarist, has worked with artists like Colm Wilkinson, David Clayton Thomas and Sharon, Lois and Bram. He has also performed with top dance bands and in Dirty Dancing, Chicago and Hairspray.

Randall Kempf on bass, has a 30 year association with Sylvia Tyson, and has also performed with such greats as Buffy St. Marie, George Streit, Johnny Paycheck and Emmylou Harris. He’s worked in rock and roll, rhythm and blues, folk and country and is well known in radio and t.v.

Aaron Solomon, who played Johnny Cash in last year’s hit concert, Johnny and June, will also be joining Leisa Way for Country Jukebox. An accomplished fiddler, banjo and guitar player, Solomon has worked with such diverse artists as Shania Twain, Jeff Healy, George Hamilton IV and in over 300 recording sessions.

It’s safe to say that the Playhouse has something mighty special in store with this incredible line-up of talent coming to the stage May 2. “It’s amazing the combined total of experience and talent that’s represented in these concerts,” Bowes said. “Having these talented artists join us each May to kick off our summer season has been a real thrill.”

If you’re a country music fan or just a plain music fan, there will be something for everyone at this blockbuster run of Country Jukebox, starring Leisa Way.

Audiences are advised to book early at 613-543-3713, 1-877-550-3650 or uppercanadaplayhouse.com.

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A local organization formed 40 years ago continues to offer a marquis event that ushers in the festive season annually. That 40 year old organization is the Morrisburg and District Arts and Crafts Association, which […]