Heritage Action regrets that the municipality of Stanstead is pursuing legal proceedings to demolish a heritage building. “In addition to being one of the oldest buildings in the city, it would also be the oldest building having served as a customs office that remains in Canada”, observes Renée Genest, director of this national organization which has been working since 1975 , to enhance Québec’s heritage.
Based on Quebec law, Action patrimoine proposes several avenues to the municipality to preserve this building built around 1812 and known as Wilder-Pierce.
The organization notes that the building is already cited for its exceptional value. “This protection status makes it possible in particular to impose conditions for carrying out various urgent works. The Quebec law on cultural heritage stipulates that “the Court may authorize the municipality to enforce these measures”. The costs can then be imposed on the owner.
In the name of this same law, the municipality can even become the owner of the building by benefiting from special advantages in order to contribute to its preservation. “As a cited building, the value of the Wilder-Pierce building is well established. The purpose of our letter sent to the Town of Stanstead was to make it aware of the importance of preserving this building, but also to inform it of the municipalities’ responsibilities for safeguarding built heritage,” explains Ms.me Genest.
Support from Quebec
In an interview given in July to the regional weekly The reflection of the lakeStanstead Mayor Jody Stone says it would cost “$750,000 to refurbish the building.”
A judgment rendered by the Court of Sherbrooke less than a year ago, however, reports that the municipality then estimated the work at $167,000.
Regardless, the Ministry of Culture and Communications (MCC) has told the To have to that it could assume up to 75% of the restoration bill, “in the event that the municipality of Stanstead or the MRC Memphrémagog signs an agreement with the ministry for the restoration of built heritage components of the municipal support program (PSMMPI)”, specifies the MCC.
“As a City, writes Action patrimoine to the municipality of Stanstead, you have the duty and the power to act and you have the means to ensure the future of this heritage. The Wilder-Pierce Building reminds us that Stanstead was, for a long time, a cross-border transportation hub in the country. This very unique history is part of your city’s identity, and its heritage deserves to be preserved. The law requires public authorities to be exemplary in the preservation of heritage.
Demolition, at what cost?
The municipality of Stanstead gave no response to this letter from Action Patrimoine, reports Renée Genest. Nor did it indicate the legal fees incurred by its desire to demolish the Wilder-Pierce building or the costs incurred in the event of a demolition.
The municipality of Stanstead is now applying to the Superior Court to obtain the right to demolish the Wilder-Pierce building.
A conflict opposes Stanstead to the owner of this historic building, Pierre Drolet-Massue. “I had to fight with the City to have it recognize the heritage and historical interest of this building,” explained Mr. Drolet-Massue, to whom The duty spoke without difficulty a few times on the phone.
Mayor Stone says he does not know the owner of this building he intends to demolish. “The problem is that the owner cannot be found. I never spoke to him. I don’t even know his name. We had to hire a bailiff and a detective to find him. He doesn’t cooperate much. It’s a complicated situation…”, indicated the mayor to the daily newspaper The gallery.
“What we want is common ground that would ensure the sustainability and enhancement of this former customs office,” said the To have to Renée Genest, from Heritage Action.