When the century-old Creamery barn fell victim to arson nearly two years ago, the clock began to tick.
Council has until May 2017 to inform the Town’s insurance company whether it would replace the barn with a like structure or take a settlement and build something else. A recent study recommended a performance park, including a four-storey performing arts centre, but Town administration favoured a pavilion that could house a market and other community uses instead, citing flood risk and railway noise as concerns against a larger centre.
Administration could be right. There are significant risks involved in investing in infrastructure along a riverbank known to flood every few years. And, though soundproofing has come a long way, blasts from a train whistle could be disruptive to performances on stage.
Council chose to dig deeper and get a full study on flood risk and noise mitigation.
The Town is keeping its windows open to an opportunity that may not arise again. There isn’t much land downtown where a performing arts centre could go.
But council needs to tread carefully and ensure it’s not building for the sake of building. A performing arts centre may be in demand, but it needs to be in the right place to avoid future issues.
