Editor, The Times:
I am a landowner in Avola and I live in Blue River. When I first came to this valley I was curious why the Avola schoolhouse was not listed as a historical building. So I asked around. The answer was that the residents wanted to be able to use the building. They believed that if it was considered a “heritage” site they would not have access to it.
At present they are able to use the building because director Willow MacDonald made arrangements to cover the insurance, without which residents would not be allowed to enter, legally. Furthermore, the repairs that are now pending, have been in the works for three years and were begun by the former director. Willow MacDonald did not initiate these repairs but she has chosen to involve the residents as much as possible in the decisions that remained. The old adage, “No good deed shall go unpunished” comes to mind.
Should residents decide to pursue achieving historical status for the building, they will discover this is a lengthy process and the bureaucrats involved are far less accommodating. The modifications that have been made to render the building useable may have undermined its authenticity.
Should they manage to have it declared an historical site, residents will then be left to find funding for repairs, insurance and maintenance, as well as dealing with a long list of restrictions, on a building they may not be able to use.
I am aware that residents are requesting a test sample patch be done by the contractor, before work begins. This would have been a timely suggestion three years ago. Now, it can only serve to further inflame sentiment surrounding a contract that is signed and legal.
There is a lot of concern that the walnut wash will damage the logs – this is based on the assumption these logs are cedar. The contractor is of the opinion that the logs are not cedar, nor are they hand hewn. What we all know for sure is that the logs need to be preserved or nature will reclaim them.
The TNRD is slated to invest $70,000 into this building. That bill is being footed not just by taxpayers in Avola, but by residents in Vavenby and Blue River, who also care about the Avola schoolhouse and were willing to share the cost of keeping the building upright, despite the pressing needs in their own communities.
I have friends on both sides of this issue. I recognize it is contentious. I am choosing to be practical. The schoolhouse can be maintained and remain useable to the residents of Avola, or the fighting can rage on until the building rots and is rendered unusable.
Mary Lou Deugau
Blue River, B.C.
