It’s been six months since the study on the condition of the Southampton Town Hall began and now it’s time to talk money to bring the structure up to snuff.
Consultant Thor Dingman presented his plan to Saugeen Shores council recently.
And says overall the building at High and Albert Streets is in pretty good shape but there is some work that needs to be done now, and then perhaps some addtional enhancements later.
Dingman says over the next year up to 50 thousand dollars should be spent repairing masonry work on the outside of the building, along with some painting as well.
He presented a five-year plan that includes improved accessibility to the building and to the washroom areas.
Dingman talked of an elevator addition that could be part of a link to the neighbouring library.
He says it will cost about as much to improve an elevator inside the building as it would to build the device outside the building and join up with the library.
He says that could cost a couple of million dollars but is not a pressing issue at this time.
Saugeen Shores councillor Diane Huber, who represents the Southampton ward, would like to see the library link with an outside elevator addition to the town hall building.
Huber says it sets up a greater potential use of the space and some shared resources between the art school, the tourism office and the library.
She says it could increase public use of the building with the enhancements.
Town council will consider some of the plan at its upcoming budget sessions.
