It was an afternoon recognizing those who help preserve local heritage, as certificates were presented to area businesses and organizations.
The certificates were handed out this year at the Fergus Grand Theatre.
Kathy Baranski, chairman of Heritage Centre Wellington, said in the past few years, “We tromped around town giving certificates to all the people and it was cold, nasty and snowing. Today’s it’s such a beautiful day – and we decided to have it inside.”
Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj agreed that in the past years the weather had been horrible, “but we had so many wonderful things to celebrate it didn’t make any difference.”
She added, “It’s so nice to be in this beautiful building because we’re so proud of it in Centre Wellington. There are so many interesting stories attached to the restoration of this building.”
Prior to the reception at the theatre, there was a tour of the County of Wellington Archives addition.
“That building is a treasure and we are thrilled that the county has invested in that spot. It’s very special to each and every one of us. Now we are here in another special spot in Centre Wellington,” Ross-Zuj said.
She congratulated all the members of the heritage committee, who she said “do such a wonderful job in keeping us up to date on the very interesting stories of many of the buildings we have in our community.
“They are doing a marvelous inventory, which is not quite complete, which will bring to us an awareness of all the many treasures we have and the work that we have to do to preserve them.”
Baranski offered background for the awards. For the last three to four years, the group has used Heritage Week to acknowledge and thank property owners who have shown care and sensitivity in maintenance and renovation of their historic properties.
“When an old building is torn down, we lose more than a structure, we lose a bit of our past,” said Baranski.
She noted in the past, many buildings were of materials far superior to those found in more recent structures.
“Here in Centre Wellington, we are fortunate to have a significant number of these buildings still in use today that are little changes from when they were constructed. With each passing year it becomes increasingly important to find ways of sustaining our heritage.”
Baranski said keeping local heritage alive has many implications – keeping debris out of the landfill, using local materials and labour for restoration projects, adapting and using heritage buildings for new and exciting ventures.
She asked those gathered to imagine how different the landscape would look if those buildings had not been carefully maintained and restored.
The certificates of excellence were handed out to acknowledge renovations or maintenance of properties that exemplify a dedication to retaining the heritage qualities of the buildings.
“These renovations help preserve your buildings, and our townscape,” she said.
She hoped the recognition would encourage others to undertake similar work.
Russell building
The certificate was accepted by Julia Tyndale-Biscoe for Bright Media Enterprises, on Michael Smith’s behalf.
Baranski said Smith has being doing renovations to a number of buildings in Fergus.
The award is particularly for the Russell building – now the Fergus Community Market.
Canada Post
Though no representatives were there to accept, Baranski said there were certificates for the Elora and Fergus post office buildings.
“In fact, the Fergus post office is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year,” she said.
David St. Dentistry
Baranski said they have done a great job renovating and keeping the outside heritage aspect of the building intact.
County archives expansion
“We were there this morning, and the building is just amazing,” Baranski said.
She added that from a heritage perspective, “It makes our job as a committee much more accessible to all the things that we need to look for. The staff are amazing and wonderful to help us. We were so pleased to see they used part of the 1950s building for the fireplace inside, so that it references what was there originally without being so ugly as it was before.”
Accepting the plaque was museum administrator Bonnie Callen.
Fergus Grand Theatre
The final presentation Baranski said she has been working on for a few years with the township Parks and Recreation manager Andy Goldie.
“It is the designation plaque for this theatre,” she said.
The last date for objections was Feb. 23 “… so it’s not really quite official, because the council has not actually signed the bylaw … but we thought it was a great opportunity to present them with the plaque.”
Baranski read a brief history of the theatre from its beginnings in January 1928 on the site of a barn along St. Andrew Street.
“Just six months later, the head of MGM studios, Louis B. Mayer, sent a telegram to Fergus wishing great success to Sam Fardella, who had replaced the barn with ‘a modern movie theatre.”
The foundation was stone, as was the rest of the building, Baranski explained. Eight steel girders supported the roof so that there would be no pillars to restrict the view.
“The exterior of the structure remains almost unchanged since its construction in 1928.”
The main difference is the front vestibule, which the committee believes was added on in the 1990s, during extensive renovations of the theatre.
The original tin ceiling in the theatre, the transom windows, front doorway and terrazo flooring are still original and intact features of the building.
Baranski said in October 2003, Centre Wellington council unanimously voted in favour of starting the process to purchase the property.
“It was the first time in its history, the building left its private status, to become a public building.”
It was renamed Fergus Grand Theatre.
She presented the heritage plaque on behalf of Heritage Centre Wellington and the township.
“We honour this building as one of significance in the town.”
Baranski said for the last three or four years, Heritage Centre Wellington as a group looks at properties and made awards.
She said the buildings are not necessarily designated – the certificates are simply a “thank you” for taking such good care of local heritage resources.
