Bracebridge Councillor, Don Smith’s attempts to deter selling the Town building, at 3 Ecclestone Drive (Bird Mill Mews), was denied again, in the November 13, 2024, Council meeting.

On September 13^th the Town issued a public media release announcing their proposal to deem the property as a surplus and sell it.

They indicated that the capital expenses to maintain the property was approximately $670,000 between 2019-2023 and estimated it at $630,000 over the next decade.

They add, “Selling that location would contribute to reducing Town and taxpayer costs and alleviate the strain on resources associated with maintaining and managing the building.”

They said that the revenue from the sale can be used for other projects, such as upgrading the Carnegie Library and Lands Above the Falls where Rona currently resides.

The Town indicated that it has owned the building since 1990, and it has undergone various renovations during that time, and remains in good condition.

The add, “While the building is the last remaining structure associated with the Bird Wollen Mill, it does not include any heritage features and is not historically designated.”

According to the agenda, Smith tried to amend the motion in last week’s Planning meeting in favour of the Town maintaining ownership of the property and to lease it instead “on a highest and best use basis utilizing external property management services.” However, the amendment was defeated.

In today’s meeting he, along with Councillors, Barb McMurray, and Debbie Vernon, continued to express concern about selling the building, suggesting they at least take some time for further discussion.

Smith advised that the past 10 years the Town has had $1.3 million in surpluses (not including the last two years, given the large surpluses of the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre), with the lowest at $700,000, due to “prudent management of money and care taken with spending.” He suggested that “with care” the Town can manage “without giving up an important resource.”

He added, “That isn’t the way to do it.”

Deputy Mayor, Brenda Rhodes, and Councillor, Tatiana Sutherland, expressed they wanted to move on from the matter and proceed with approving the decision to sell.

Rhodes expressed concern about the staff time and resources being utilized.

Smith said, “The staff time managing the facility” is a reason to refer the matter to the next meeting so they can consider outsourcing the responsibility to a property management company, like other municipalities do successfully.

Councillor, Debbie Vernon, said she’s received feedback from community businesses that people that visit the Visitor Centre from the building in question also go to the shops on Main Street – which may not be the case if the building is sold.

McMurray suggested that they re-evaluate some of the money going into reserves for future projects and hold off on spending “till we get things sorted out to ensure we’re doing the right thing [versus] what we think because we read a staff report.”

Council passed the motion to proceed with the sale of the building.