Smiths Falls council has approved up to $400,000 in 2026 capital funding to demolish and remove the town’s 102-year-old decommissioned water tower.
The project includes removing the tower, perimeter fencing, communications building and associated footings.
The decision comes about a month after council voted against a preliminary engineering review that would have examined whether the structure could be preserved as a landmark.
That review was estimated to cost between $5,000 and $15,000. Inspections in 2022 and 2024 identified advanced corrosion, metal loss around rivets and structural degradation.
Councillor Chris McGuire supported further study of the tower’s preservation and questioned Monday why council was now moving ahead with demolition funding before the municipal election.
Council had directed staff in June to begin a competitive procurement process for demolition. The $400,000 approval allows the project to continue if council enters a lame-duck period during the election.
Other councillors, including Jay Brennan, supported the funding, noting council had already decided to demolish the structure.
Treasurer Paul Dowber said there is sufficient money in the Tax Stabilization Reserve, which has a cap of about $4.6 million.
The $400,000 is a maximum budget allocation, not the final demolition cost. Staff previously estimated demolition and site remediation at $375,000.
Staff will return to council with the results of the competitive procurement process.
Story by Grant Deme
