A final effort to save history
Uxbridge's Lucy Maud society requests large loan from Township

June 13, 2006
By Jeff Hayward Staff Writer
DurhamRegion.COM

UXBRIDGE -- In order to acquire a heritage site, an Uxbridge group leading the project needs help in the form of a large cash loan.

The Lucy Maud Montgomery (LMM) society has been attempting to raise funds to purchase the original Leaskdale Presbyterian Church, for $200,000. But with an already-extended Aug. 1 deadline looming to buy the site, and only about $35,000 cash in the society's coffers, it has turned to council in hopes of rescuing the more than 100-year-old building, which was ministered by the husband of the famous author Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Barb Murphy, Melanie Whitfield, and Barb Pratt, representing the LMM group, brought a formal request to council Monday asking for a mortgage loan of $165,000. Ms. Murphy explained the group is also looking at landing a federal Cultural Spaces grant, but in order to be considered, "We need more support from council... We need (support) backed up by a motion."

She noted the federal grant would bring in $65,000 toward the cause. But, she added, "If we get turned down by our own municipality, it'll be hard to get a grant."

The society plans to repay the loan over five years, relying on fundraising to achieve the goal.

Mayor Gerri Lynn O'Connor noted the Township has already invested in many cultural sites, including the Thomas Foster Memorial, Heritage Railway, and Music Hall.

"As reluctant as I am to get into another building, I can support with good conscience if (there is) an agreement taxpayers will not be left with a bill," said Mayor O'Connor. "If fundraising dries up, then the municipality has (the church) as an asset we can get rid of." The society agreed to offer the church as collateral.

The mayor also noted it would be timely for Bev Oda, Durham's MP and the federal heritage minister, to commit support to the project. Ms. Murphy explained that although the site is recognized as historic by the Canadian government, "It's not the federal government's responsibility (to fund it)."

In a recent visit to Uxbridge, Ms. Oda stated, "We know about the project to acquire the church, but we have to make sure it fits criteria. We have responsibilities to thousands of other regional and municipal governments and each of them have their own heritage sites... We're not a government that's going to make special rules for special purposes."

In order to make the loan, Uxbridge will have to dip back into its completed 2006 budget to find more cash. The public will have a chance to speak on the budget amendment at a June 26 meeting at 10 a.m. in council chambers.

Malcolm Smith of the Presbyterian Church previously told the Times-Journal there was no specific deadline to complete a deal. But he said the congregation has received other offers for the original church, and that selling it will help offset the cost of a new building being completed nearby.

Asked what might happen if the LMM society cannot produce the required funds, Mr. Smith said the congregation might have to look at "creative solutions".