Grant Program: Cultural Infrastructure Program
Project Summary: Stiver Mill Restoration
There is a strong
community interest in restoring the Stiver Mill and finding a sustainable use
for it. The idea of a Cultural Centre is
the best fit.
The building
was built in 1900 and the Stiver family closed it in 1968. The Town has owned
the building for 16 years.
It is not a
large building and would have rooms of 1100 and
750 sq ft as well as a 850 sq ft museum area. All the belts and motors are still there to
fulfill the
There is a
range of possibilities from décor to inactive interpretation to working
demos.
The scope of
work involves replacing some or all of the exterior cladding with insulated
steel walls, a major cleanup, furnace, drywall and lighting for the meeting
rooms, exterior cleanup, fence and walkways.
Only the “meeting” rooms would be heated or cooled.
Conceptually
the building has great potential as an older adults centre during the day and
meeting space at night with attractions during the summer to add to the
experience being offered by Main Street Unionville.
It fits into
the concept of walkable neighbourhoods and expands on our existing walkable
Cost & Timeline:
The total Cost of
the project is $3million and can be completed by March 2011.
Benefits:
The location of the Stiver Mill, currently next to the Unionville Train Station on Station Lane is a Heritage Asset and is one of only a handful still left in the Province and will add to the Heritage District once a functioning Cultural Facility. This landmark adds to the overall Cultural Experience when visiting the Unionville, particularly during the high season and will assist the economic viability of the Unionville tourist district.
Contributing to a walkable neighbourhood as a place for community use, in particular with its adjacency to a major seniors home and providing a museum experience year round in the high tourist season