ELORA – Staff believe the time is now to investigate how to rehabilitate the Elora Public Works Garage.
According to a new report coming to the County of Wellington road committee on Tuesday, staff are proposing the Elora Public Works Garage on 7454 Wellington County Rd 21 undergo a building rehabilitation study to determine the best options for improving the building's structure integrity and to support the barn's ongoing use by the Elora Festival.
Staff previously proposed the Elora garage be rehabilitated to extend the building's useful life as a part of their review of the county's road garages.
Accounted for in the county's 10-year plan, the project is anticipated to cost $800,000 between the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
Upgrades to the garage include replacing the siding on the building, rehabilitating the barn foundation walls and connecting the property to the township's wastewater facilities.
Also known as the Gambrel Barn, the Elora Works Garage has doubled as a concert venue for over 20 years for the Elora Festival, who has an agreement with the county that allows them to occupy the barn from June to September each year.
Two of the county's eight county road garage facilities have been replaced so far and the Brucedale and Erin garages are planned to be the next two to be replaced.
A third garage is currently being constructed in Arthur.
Staff will report back to the committee with their findings once the study is completed.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
