Photo: MBC News
Smiths Falls’ historic water tower is coming down after town council voted 4-2 to approve its demolition, despite calls for a structural assessment to determine whether the landmark could be saved.
Council is allowing demolition to proceed with heritage protection and commemoration conditions.
The Municipal Heritage Committee (MHC) had asked for a structural assessment before making a recommendation, with an estimated initial costing between $5,000 to $30,000 but council chose not to delay the decision.
A decision that incensed Councillor Chris McGuire, who sits on the MHC.
Some members, including Mayor Shawn Pankow, questioned the value of further studies, pointing to an earlier rehabilitation estimate of $2.4 million and the town’s other infrastructure costs.
Pankow said preserving the tower doesn’t make business sense.
He said if the restoration of the tower was of a similar cost to the demolition, this wouldn’t be up for a debate and the tower would be staying.
The motion requires documentation and a salvage plan, measures to protect the nearby stone arch dam and mature trees, and an archaeological assessment if underground infrastructure is removed.
The MHC must also recommend a commemoration strategy and budget for consideration in the 2027 municipal budget process.
The town previously approved $400,000 for demolition.
McGuire and Councillor Jennifer Miller opposed the motion. Councillor Jay Brennan was absent.
Story by Grant Deme
