Kincardine receives government grant for repairs to lighthouse

Kincardine has received a federal government grant of about $150,000 for repairs to the municipality's iconic lighthouse.

In committee-of-the-whole last night (Jan. 11), Jim Cooper of the Kincardine Yacht Club, which leases the structure, said the Canada 150 grant of $146,667 will cover one-third of the cost for Phase 1 work.

This includes repair and repainting of the lantern, flat roof, and deck, repainting window frames, steel panels, railings and overhead support bars, replacing damaged glazing panels, restoring brackets, and the cost of the scaffolding needed for the project.

Cooper encouraged council to add this project to its 2017 budget, and hoped the work would be done in time for the lighthouse to "shine" July 1 for Canada's 150th birthday.

He also asked if a portion of the Phase 3 work could be added because it must be done when scaffolding is in place. This includes vertical window hoods to keep the rain from leaking inside. The cost would be about $20,000.

"It would be more cost-efficient to do this work when the scaffolding is in place," said Cooper. "We're already paying $160,000 for the scaffolding to be there."

He thanked chief building official Michele Barr and treasurer Roxana Baumann for their assistance in applying for the grant.

Cooper said if the window hoods were included, Phase 1 of the work would be a total of $460,000. Phase 2 is $120,000 and includes repairs to the lighthouse-keepers's house, while Phase 3 is $50,000 and includes replacing the vinyl siding on the tower.

"Well, we finally got a government grant," said mayor Anne Eadie.

She thanked Cooper for his report, and the project will come forward at the next budget meeting Jan. 23 at 5 p.m., at the municipal administrative centre.