Deputy Mayor Barry Manuel said in a press release Friday morning that he hopes the dialogue leads to a transition agreement for the possible transfer of the property to the Town of Grand Falls–Windsor and the implementation of some of the key recommendations of the consultant report.
The Grand Falls House is a 28-room Tudor style mansion built in 1909. The house is abundant in mystique given that very few people even had occasion to enter the building. It is a significant heritage structure that embodies a history that needs to be preserved, the release added.
The Town of Grand Falls–Windsor began talks with the province in 2013 and proceeded to conduct an engineering assessment study and a hazmat study on the Grand Falls House and the Mill Managers House that is adjacent. These reports were completed in February 2014. At that time, Council began working with the Grand Falls House Heritage Committee.
“The Town is very fortunate to have such a dedicated group to champion this cause, with much expertise and experience,” added the deputy mayor.
Council provided funding for the Committee and they in turn received funding from (the province) and ACOA to complete a business plan for sustainable operations of the property.
Group ATN Consulting Inc. was chosen after an RFP process. They conducted a public forum where over 80 people gathered to express ideas. There were numerous sessions organized with key stakeholders and what resulted was a comprehensive reuse study for the Grand Falls House property, according to the release.
“This extensive report proposes a strategy and presents recommendations for creating a sustainable future for the Grand Falls House” said Peggy Bartlett who chaired the Grand Falls House Heritage Committee.
“The purpose of the meeting was to present the province with the findings of a consultant report focusing on the sustainability of the Grand Falls House as a tourism and heritage economic generator for the region.”
The release noted that the plan was created around three considerations: developing compatible uses for the Grand Falls House and the Mill Managers House; creating adjoining businesses, the profit of which will cross-subsidize ongoing operational and maintenance expenses; and collaborating with the municipality and public / private partnerships to develop opportunities that will drive traffic to the area.
The deputy mayor said that both the Town and the Committee look forward to input and feedback from the community.
The report can be accessed on the Town website at http://www.grandfallswindsor.com/grand-falls-house.html or a copy of the report can be viewed at the Town Hall. The Grand Falls House Heritage Committee will be conducting further public consultation as the work progresses.
