Editor's Note: Council passed a resolution April 11 that there will an ad hoc committee on the future of the Southampton Town Hall, and a Striking Committee will return with details for council's approval.

Hub Staff

Councillors debated during the April 11 council meeting whether or not an Ad Hoc Committee for the Southampton Town Hall would be in the building’s best interest. The purposed Ad Hoc Committee brought many interested parties to council who were there in support.

The six month long committee would inform Council of priorities for necessary or concerning structural repairs, renovations or additions to the Southampton Town Hall; the aesthetic and functional revitalization of the public lands surrounding the Town Hall; and, opportunities to enhance programming and usage to develop and sustain the Southampton Town Hall and adjacent public lands for the future.

Councillor Dave Myette felt another committee would be one more thing town staff would have to be involved in.

“It adds another level of burden to staff, that will have to attend and record these meetings, and it doesn't always serve the purpose of forwarding the agenda,” Myette said, adding, “another thing that concerns me, it insures that there is going to be improvements, it sets up the impression that at some point in the future there is going to be money put aside in through the budgeting process. I’d hate to see us pre-disposed to that decision.”

Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau felt that there could be other options instead of an Ad Hoc.

“Rather than striking the Ad Hoc Committee, direct staff to return to committee of the whole with some recommendations of the future of Town Hall. Requiring that staff undertake a consideration of this nature with the stakeholders apart of that process,” Charbonneau said.

“I don’t agree that that’s a good way forward with this,” said Vice Deputy Mayor Diane Huber. “I think there’s meaning behind an Ad Hoc, and we’ve had some success with the Waterfront Ad Hoc, and it’s working toward an action plan,” insisted Huber.

Councillor Don Matheson and Councillor Cheryl Grace rounded out the discussion, and both were in agreement that the Town Hall is a cultural hub, and there needs to be a committee that puts the Town Hall and the community’s best interest first.

After much debate, the idea was put on hold until a Striking Committee could put proper details around the idea, with Mayor Mike Smith hoping that it would “recommend some pretty clear direction,” toward the future of the Southampton Town Hall.

Natalie Robitaille, Artistic Director for Bruce County Playhouse, the newest occupant of the Town Hall, thinks an Ad Hoc is the way to go, and hopes a decision will be made at the next council meeting.

“At least in two weeks, we can come back with some more ideas of what we can do, and then if we can get some more community members to come and give their input, I think it will be great,” Robitaille said.