- Target:
- Ontario Minister of Culture, Aileen Carrol
- Region:
- Canada
- Website:
- www.facebook.com
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Heritage/Héritage MATTAWA believes that Mattawa is the most historically significant municipality in Canada, west of Montreal.
As the gateway to Ontario and the West, Mattawa was “the point of embarkation” for the economic and cultural development of this great nation, Canada, as we know it and love it today.
Nipissing District’s First Courthouse and Jail (also known as the “Old Town Hall”) was built (circa) 1883. During the Second World War, its tower was used as an air raid observation post, ready to sound “the alarm”. This “alarm” was later used to alert volunteer firemen to threats to the Town of Mattawa’s buildings and residents. The Corporation of the Town of Mattawa demolished it in August 2009.
Mattawa’s First Hospital, the oldest surviving man-made structure in the Town was built (circa) 1864. The owner has no choice but to demolish it, in spite of the fact that he offered it to the Corporation of the Town of Mattawa, at no cost, if it was moved to the historic Explorers’ Point.
THE “OLD HOSPITAL” IS TODAY’S “CRISIS”.
The “Old Hospital” was built in 1902 and enlarged in 1927 by the Grey Nuns. Now the Sisters of Charity want it demolished.
The Conseil Scolaire Catholique Franco-Nord plans to demolish it with our tax dollars.
The Council of the Corporation of the Town of Mattawa served notice of its intent to designate the “Old Hospital” a property of cultural heritage value. At the same time Council established an ad hoc committee to negotiate with Franco-Nord “to resolve” the matter.
Heritage/Héritage MATTAWA is worried that Council might “lift”, or rescind, its notice of “intention to designate” the “Old Hospital” as a property of cultural heritage value at its next meeting at 7:00 p.m. on November 23rd, 2009.
Heritage/Héritage MATTAWA is worried that, if Council rescinds its “intention to designate”, Council will issue a permit to allow Franco-Nord to demolish the “Old Hospital, within days, and that Mattawa’s most important landmark will end up in the landfill site along with the “Old Town Hall”.
Heritage/Héritage MATTAWA has formally requested that the Minister of Culture immediately serve notice of her intention to designate the “Old Hospital” as a “property of cultural heritage value or interest of provincial significance” in accordance with the process set out in the Ontario Heritage Act.
A PETITION TO SAVE THE “OLD HOSPITAL”
We, the undersigned, want the Minister of Culture of the Province of Ontario to designate the “Old Hospital” (located at the corner of Second Street and Bissett Street, in the Corporation of the Town of Mattawa, Ontario) as a “property of cultural heritage value or interest of provincial significance” in accordance with the process set out in the Ontario Heritage Act.
The “Old Hospital” is Mattawa’s most important landmark. Loss of this “property of cultural heritage value” would be the loss of the essence of Mattawa.
We, the undersigned, recognize that what is not saved and preserved today can not be saved and preserved tomorrow and that what is lost today is lost forever.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Save the “Old Hospital” petition to Ontario Minister of Culture, Aileen Carrol was written by mark and is in the category City & Town Planning at GoPetition.