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Lucknow Kinsmen want to fix up old fire hall

By Liz Dadson

Huron-Kinloss Council

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The Lucknow Kinsmen and Kinettes want to rent the old Lucknow Fire Hall, fix up the building, and use it to better serve the community.

Andrew Johnston of the service club brought that request to Huron-Kinloss council last night (Jan. 18).
 
"It's a great property," Johnston said. "We want to turn it into something that we can use to benefit our community."

He said a 900-square-foot meeting room could be created in one part of the building, with washrooms at the back, plus plenty of storage for the Kinsmen and for the township.

Pointing to a list outlining the proposal, he joked that it would be a "green" project for the Kinsmen, forcing two of their members to actually walk rather than drive to the meetings, while urging others to get out and walk because the hall would be only two blocks away from where they live.

There are 60 Kinsmen and Kinettes in the organization, he said. "Once we do a few projects there, fixing up the building, it'll bring the club together. It's a beautiful spot."

Right now, the club meets upstairs in Bob Pegg's shed. Johnston said having their own building would make a huge difference for the Kinsmen.

They expect to spend about $25,000 to fix up the building, supplying their own labour. "And what it'll do for the Lucknow area is priceless," added Johnston.

"The Lucknow Kinsmen have done great things for the community over the years," said councillor Anne Eadie.

Councillor Don Murray, who sits on the Lucknow Fire Board, noted that the old fire hall is owned by both Huron-Kinloss and Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh. "Give us three to four months until we get moved into the new fire hall," he said. "I'd like you to come to the next fire board meeting and make your presentation."

"That's fine," said Johnston. "We're not in a big rush. We just wanted you to know we're interested in the building."

andrew johnston

Andrew Johnston of the Lucknow Kinsmen holds up a proposal for the club to use the old Lucknow Fire Hall

Councillor Jim Hanna said the building will be retained by both townships that own it. "We're looking to use part of the building, but not all of it," he said. "The Kinsmen have built many facilities in this area and put a lot of money into the community. You will have a home somewhere in the township."

"I agree you need a place of your own," said councillor Lillian Abbott.

Eadie suggested using one of the empty building in downtown Lucknow.

"We need parking," said Johnston, "which is why we like the location of the old fire hall. We don't want to buy a building. All our money is pumped into the community. As a service group, that's what we do. We're in this for the long haul - to support our community."

Mayor Mitch Twolan thanked Johnston for his presentation and suggested he attend the next fire board meeting in mid-February. 
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Tuesday, January 19, 2010