Town of New Tecumseth to convert former Alliston school into new town hall
New Tecumseth town council voted in favour of converting a former school in Alliston into a new town hall, with the winning tender coming in at $14.5 million.
The current town hall was built in 1986, and according to Mayor Rick Milne, it isn't big enough anymore.
"The population then was about 8,000. Now we are around 41,000, and it's time. We need a bigger building," he said.
The money to pay for the new town hall will come from reserves and debentures, but some in the community believe the funds could be better spent.
Joe Feiner is a community activist who completed a two-week hunger strike hoping to sway the council's priorities.
He wants a referendum.
Feiner works in construction and has a long history of volunteering in community service organizations. He believes the project will cost more than $20 million with the inflated price of materials.
Feiner wants council to put money into health care, and said town councillors have ignored his and others concerns.
"This council cannot be trusted anymore," he stated.
The Alliston Union Public School has been vacant since the municipality purchased the property in 2016.
Milne said the town plans to utilize some of the existing structure to create a new facility in the centre of town, adding the door is now closed to debate.
"We all don't agree on everything, which is great, but at the end of the day, council does walkout as a unit, and we support whatever the majority of council is," the mayor concluded.
With the tender awarded, construction could begin as early as mid-July.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.