The mayor of Lewisporte is saddened over the demolition of an iconic building, but says tearing it down was the right thing to do.
The Old West End School on Main Street has been in the town’s hands for some time. In recent years it had been operating as a dinner theatre and museum, but a series of calamities, including a recent flood, left the building in severe disrepair and in need of extensive – and expensive – restoration.
Funding to restore the building also fell through because it didn’t meet heritage criteria.
(Photo by Dave Leyden.)
After unsuccessful attempts to sell the building, Mayor Krista Freake says the town was left with few other options but to tear down the building which is believed by many to be the oldest in the town.
She says a contractor confirmed that the basement of the structure was crumbling and in danger of collapse. “While we recognize that it’s unfortunate and people are disappointed, it was certainly the right thing to do,” says Freake.
As for what will be done with the land, Freake says that’s something council is currently contemplating.
