Dear editor,
We, at the Merville Community Association (MCA), have a simple solution regarding the controversy about the historic Shakesides building in Comox. The town of Comox can apply the funds that they would have spent destroying the building, to moving it to the Big Yellow Merville Hall site in sunny, downtown Merville.
We have already moved two heritage buildings to the site (a 101-year-old church and a slightly newer manse) so we have an excellent idea of what we would be getting in to. Shakesides even looks to be in much better shape than the buildings we moved, and we can apply for numerous provincial and federal grants aimed at supporting heritage conservation to boot. If Comox has no regard for history, the MCA will take it on and tell the story. Over the next few years, the site, with the old buildings, will become a heritage and ag-tourism attraction that is going to be a hub of activity on the Old Island Highway right between Comox and Campbell River.
This will be a “win-win” as the MCA can gladly receive the building at the growing heritage village and Comox can grass over the Shakesides site and just hire a summer student to run a lawnmower once every few weeks, thus saving money and being fiscally prudent.
So let’s get on with it and have a big parade down the highway as the fine old heritage building trundles along to its happy new home. We’ll even promise to put up a small plaque thanking Comox council for the generous gift.
Craig Freeman
Merville Community Association
