Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White says a $755,000 grant to repair the Harris mill ruins at the Rockwood Conservation Area has likely saved the heritage structure from the wrecking ball.
“Needless to say, we’re thrilled this project will be going ahead,” White said, referring to repair work made possible by the Community Adjustment Fund grant announced on Sept. 3.
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) and the Grand River Conservation Foundation will each contribute $50,000 towards the total project cost of $855,000.
The GRCA decided to close a portion of the ruins in January after an engineer’s report deemed one of the back walls structurally deficient.
Since that time White, MPP Ted Arnott, and MP Michael Chong have helped the GRCA lobby for some sort of funding to protect the ruins, which, White said, are critical to economic development, tourism and heritage in the area.
He noted the park annually hosts about 75,000 visitors, many of whom use the ruins for photos, weddings, and other events, and even movie shoots.
“I want to thank Mike Chong and the Federal Economic Development Agency for their foresight in funding this restoration,” White said.
Chong, who made the announcement last week, explained the funding is part of the federal government’s Economic Action Plan.
“This project will help with economic development in the area,” said Chong. “It will help protect a historical treasure and tourist attraction, while at the same time creating local jobs – something I’m committed to doing.”
Alan Dale, chairman of the GRCA, thanked the federal government, the township, and the Grand River Conservation Foundation for their support.
“Preserving these ruins is a tangible way to demonstrate the importance that water power played to the early development of the Grand River watershed,” Dale said. “It also underscores the role that tourism plays in our economy today.”
The mill restoration will include rebuilding the back wall, repointing the walls, and capping the tops of the walls, among other items. The work is expected to be completed by next spring.
The Harris mill became operational in 1867, producing wool fabrics known famously as the Harris’ Homespun’s. Its most successful years came during World War I, when the firm secured huge orders for blankets for the Canadian army. The mill operated sporadically after 1919, but closed for good in 1933.
The restoration project is part of the $102-million spending through the Community Adjustment Fund for 2009-10, announced on Aug. 27 by the federal government through the Federal Economic Development Agency for southern Ontario.
A complete list of the 90 projects in southern Ontario approved for fund grants will be made available on Sept 10 online at www.ic.gc.ca.
For more information on the plan, see actionplan.gc.ca.
