Council approves application for capital borrowing as town targets building for purchase
Woodstock council is preparing to finance the potential purchase of a building to house a new town hall.
At the Woodstock council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 26, council approved a motion giving town officials the right to apply to the Municipal Capital Borrowing Board for more than a half-million dollars in funding if required.
Mayor Trina Jones explained with the time limit to apply to the borrowing board running out, council needs to approve a $575,000 application now, should the town decide to purchase the building it’s targeting.
She said the funds would cover the purchase price and possibly some renovation costs should the town complete the purchase of the building to serve as the new town hall.
Jones declined to identify the targeted building following the council meeting, saying the town still needs to complete the building inspection and finalize a sales agreement.
She and other council members have in the past expressed interest in having the new town hall in Woodstock’s downtown core, but she wouldn’t confirm if this purchase fits the bill.
Town officials have noted several times that the administration has outgrown its current town hall between the police station and fire hall on Main Street. With the expansion of Woodstock to include four new wards encompassing the surrounding local service districts, the already limited space became even more acute.
Jones said plans call for the police and fire departments to move into space vacated by town administration.
The Woodstock Police Station has already taken over the former council chambers as office space for its new Street Crime Unit, meeting and training rooms and media centre.
Council now holds its meetings at the AYR Motor Centre Gallery Room. It also announced plans to host future meetings in the outlying wards, beginning Oct. 10 at the Jacksonville United Church in Ward 3.
