While it may seem like a novel idea, restoring the old Colwood pub to its former glory could be challenging B次元官网网址� and costly.
Earlier this week, the Onni Group announced it would gift the building to an individual or group interested in taking it, but the new owner would have to pay for the removal costs. If the building isnB次元官网网址檛 moved by Oct. 15, it will be demolished.
READ MORE: Onni Group offers up the old Colwood pub for free
Since the announcement there has been a lot of misinformation circulating on social media and Mayor Carol Hamilton reiterated the building is not and was not owned by the City of Colwood. She added, at this point, itB次元官网网址檚 also not likely something the City would pursue buying.
B次元官网网址淵ou lose a bit of prominence at the corner but itB次元官网网址檚 been gone for quite some time,B次元官网网址� she said.
Another misconception is that there were conditions in development permits that protected the old building in the original site design and the new proposal submitted by Onni.
Hamilton noted that it was her understanding that the siteB次元官网网址檚 original developer, League Financial Partners, always intended to demolish the building but when Royal Roads University expressed interest in it, it was relocated to allow the university some time to work out whether it would be viable for them.
But according to Hamilton that didnB次元官网网址檛 turn out to be very financially feasible. B次元官网网址淛ust moving it from Colwood Corners to Royal Roads would be in the neighbourhood of $200,000,B次元官网网址� she said, adding power lines and other utilities would have to be temporarily moved to allow for the building to pass.
She noted that figure doesnB次元官网网址檛 include updating the pub to meet todayB次元官网网址檚 building codes, which would be required.
The building was moved back in 2012 and since then it has sat on blocks off of Jerome Road, behind the Colwood Corners site. It was cut into three sections for the move and Hamilton noted, since most of the plumbing was added onto the exterior during different renovations, a lot of it was removed by an excavator.
B次元官网网址淭he building virtually has no plumbing B次元官网网址� when you add up all the bits and pieces itB次元官网网址檚 an expensive project,B次元官网网址� she added.
One of the other major concerns from residents is the lack of heritage status for the building, which is a 1936 Tudor-style build.
But while it has that old look to it, Hamilton noted the original building burned down and the current version has been so heavily modified over the years that it no longer resembles what it once looked like.
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When compared to a building such as the Colwood dairy house, it lacks the original elements that make it a heritage building. B次元官网网址淭he history is more of the Colwood Corners [site] and not necessarily the pub,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淵es, there is a story to tell B次元官网网址� letB次元官网网址檚 not lose the story B次元官网网址� but the two donB次元官网网址檛 necessarily go hand-in-hand.B次元官网网址�
She added the building doesnB次元官网网址檛 even resemble the pub most residents remember as its last operator upgraded a lot of its features and furnishings. B次元官网网址淚t was a great place to come and eat and hang out B次元官网网址� But thatB次元官网网址檚 not history, thatB次元官网网址檚 not heritage.B次元官网网址�
