Just weeks after the demolition of two provincial heritage structures and with the future of other buildings in doubt, the deadline for Heritage NL’s maintenance and heritage grants is only days away.

The provincial government’s role is a supporting one, with up to $3,000 available for maintenance and between $30,000 and $40,000 available for restoration of provincially-designated registered heritage structures.

That’s not nearly enough according to many, given the rising cost of materials and the number of aging heritage structures in need of significant work or changes for adaptive use.

NDP member for St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi, Sheilagh O’Leary says the province currently provides just $150,000 annually in grants for heritage buildings, offering “very little support” for restoration of buildings that need significant work.

The deadline for restoration grant applications for this year is this Friday.