Deny request

With our population aging year by year, there’s no question the need to provide seniors’ activities and services in Fort Frances will grow, too.
That said, the request to put off demolishing the former Huffman School so it can be used as an extension of the Sister Kennedy Centre—even in the short term—is not the way to go and should be denied.
Everyone knows the financial crisis facing the town, and clearly there’s a cost to razing the old school to make way for a 16-lot residential subdivision along Williams Avenue and on a proposed cul-de-sac. But really, the town cannot afford to drag its feet on developing these lots.
There appears to be sufficient interest now in proceeding, which might not be the case if the proposed subdivision keeps getting put off. As well, you can be sure the price tag for demolishing Huffman will rise with each passing year, so to wait only will make the project that much more expensive down the road (as we’ve seen with the old Rainy Lake Hotel).
Besides, with whispers that the town gave the thumbs-down to the Seven Generations Education Institute’s seeming interest in the Huffman property in favour of earmarking the site for housing lots, it makes no sense that council would do a sudden about-face for the sake of a secondary seniors’ centre.
Instead, if an expansion of the Sister Kennedy Centre is needed, a concerted fundraising campaign should be organized to help foot the bill.
We did it for the Townshend Theatre, the Ice For Kids Arena, and the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre, as well as for much-needed hospital renovations and medical equipment. Surely residents would be willing to step to the plate to ensure our seniors can enjoy top-notch facilities.
After all, it will be us in their place some day.