An historic building at least a century old and still under use by the City of Weyburn is in need of some major repairs, and the city is now considering its options about whether to repair it and continue using it.
An historic building at least a century old and still under use by the City of Weyburn is in need of some major repairs, and the city is now considering its options about whether to repair it and continue using it.
The building in question is the roundhouse being used by the city's Public Works department; originally it was used as the roundhouse by CP Rail in the earliest days of rail service to the city.
The building came to the attention of the city's Facilities Advisory Committee, as roofing work is needed, and was originally supposed to be done in 2012, but the company which won the tender for the work backed out of the contract.
The committee was told that in December, a large crack was noticed in a roof beam; it has been temporarily braced, but more permanent repairs are required, along with the roofing work which is still needed.
The committee questioned public works superintendent Claude Morin about the building and its functionality, and he said it serves the department well as it is large with a cement floor, and is kept minimally heated in the winter. It is used for the storage of some of the city's larger equipment, including its snow removal equipment.
Information given to the city says the building is structurally sound, and once the beam and roof are repaired, it could last for many more years.
The committee discussed the costs of repairs, including two quotes for repairing the beam, and are now awaiting more information before deciding about whether to proceed with the repairs.
"We have to watch how much money we put into this building," commented Coun. Dick Michel, noting it's at least 100 years old.
The committee also discussed a number of repairs and upgrades to be made at the Leisure Centre.
Among the work underway or soon to be done include painting the interior, new benches in the men's change room, and counter tops in the single bathrooms are to be replaced. Cost estimates are being obtained to replace the larger counter tops, as well as estimates on light replacement. Repairs are also planned for the sauna and the downstairs electrical panel, and a grant has been received to upgrade the sound system. Major boiler repairs are being planned for 2014.
Approvals and third readings were given to three bylaws to allow for some new developments to proceed, while a request to do some development on a lot from the fair grounds was turned down by council.
The first approval and third reading of a bylaw was to allow the development of a contractor's shop on Hunt Street on the city's west end near Regina Avenue.
The parcel was rezoned from urban holdings to light industrial, as the city noted that residential uses are being phased out in this area in favour of light industrial and commercial developments.
The second approval was final approval of the new Highway Commercial-by-Contract designation for land along Government Road South, across from the current location of the land's user, Minard's Leisure World.
Council approved a five-year agreement to allow storage of 42 combined units of manufactured and mobile homes from June 1 and Sept. 30, and a maximum of 100 units between Oct. 1 and May 31.
The third item gave second reading only to a proposal to develop six four-unit townhouses on the corner of King Street and Fifth Avenue North, near the Fieldstone Estates development.
The concern the city has is with the capacity of the lift station which is in place mainly to service Fieldstone Estates; the city is awaiting a report from engineers about whether or not upgrades are needed at the lift station to accommodate the proposed new development.
A request was received from a numbered Saskatchewan company to rezone a parcel of land along First Avenue NW, which is currently zoned as exhibition park mixed use, to R2 residential, in order to allow the construction of a duplex; this request was denied.
The land had been developed for a single-family home in 1940, and that home has since been demolished.
Martino Verhaeghe, director of planning and development, said there are "different proposals coming to the city which we can't discuss publicly yet" in that area; he added this issue may come back for more discussion after summer.
Mayor Debra Button added that that area is "on the city's radar" with future development in mind.
