Is the preservation of heritage important to local residents?
What buildings, areas, and landscapes in Centre Wellington should be conserved? Citizens and taxpayers of Centre Wellington have never been asked this question.
On Nov 8, from 10am to 3:30pm the local branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) will offer an opportunity for residents to express their opinions through a day-long workshop.
The concept behind the workshop is for citizens to be able to tell municipal and county legislators what matters to them and what is valued within the community.
In the face of growing change, demolitions, expanding development, impinging infill and zoning alterations, citizens need to know the numerous means of defending heritage buildings and landscapes under provincial legislation.
Speaker Dan Currie MA, MCIP, RPP. Dan Currie is a Partner with MHBC and is Managing Director of MHBC’s Cultural Heritage Division.
A specialist in land use policy and cultural heritage planning, Dan will present to participants the various options for heritage conservation.
Following the explanation of options by Currie, workshops will be held in which citizens can express opinions as to what should be protected as heritage assets under municipal and county legislation.
A News release sent by Beverley Cairns states “We urgently need a Heritage Masterplan to protect the distinctive characters of Fergus and Elora. The downtown cores are vulnerable, as are many buildings with heritage value and association throughout Centre Wellington. We must turn out in numbers to show our new council that we care and request action.”
The workshop “Speak Out For Heritage” is at the Elora Centre for the Arts. Registration time is 10am; Moderator Susan Ratcliffe, chair of Guelph Wellington ACO, will introduce Currie at 10:30am. Participants will be served a light lunch around 12:30pm.
Workshops to allow residents to express opinions will follow from 1:30pm to 3pm with wrap up to 3:30pm.
Registration is free, with requested donations only, to offset costs. Contact e-mail: centrewellingtonaco@gmail.com.
