Critical repairs approved for Port Perry’s historic Town Hall 1873 Theatre

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

SCUGOG: Councillors recently approved a contract for urgent exterior repairs to Town Hall 1873, in Port Perry, following a recent report, presented by Robert Frasca, Manager of Public Works and Infrastructure Services, and reviewed by Grant Taylor, Director of Public Works and Infrastructure Services.

The repairs, deemed critical to public safety and the preservation of one of Scugog’s most iconic heritage structures, will be carried out by Fleming Heritage Restoration. The award was made through a non-competitive procurement process in line with the Township’s by-laws, citing the urgent need and highly specialized nature of the work.

“Recent inspections revealed alarming deterioration, particularly on the brick walls facing Simcoe Street,” said Mr. Frasca. “We’ve seen visible decay and fragments falling onto the sidewalk. This is no longer just a maintenance issue, it’s a safety issue.”

The scope of the work includes: extensive repairs to damaged brickwork, failing chimneys, soffits, fascias, and curtain walls, all original features contributing to the historic integrity of the 19th-century structure.

According to Mr. Taylor, the decision to award the contract solely to Fleming Heritage Restoration is backed by sound rationale.

“Fleming’s experience with heritage masonry and their past success on projects in the Township made them the clear choice,” Mr. Taylor said. “They have the ability to match historic mortar and brickwork, and they understand the heritage standards we need to uphold.”

Originally constructed in 1873, the building has served as a focal point for arts, culture, and civic life in Port Perry. A Building Condition Assessment, completed in 2022, identified a number of deteriorating exterior components, but more recent inspections, carried out during rehabilitation work on the Bell Tower, revealed worsening damage which now threatens structural stability.

“The chimneys are approaching structural failure, and moisture infiltration is accelerating the building’s decay,” noted Mr. Frasca. “Immediate intervention is the only responsible course of action.”

The project’s budget of $400,000 includes a 20 percent contingency. After awarding the contract to Fleming Heritage Restoration, valued at $284,043.50 net of HST rebate, and setting aside $19,326.08 in contingency, the Township is expected to come in well under budget, with a surplus of over $115,000.

Mayor Wilma Wotten praised the decision and the work by Township staff. “After everything else we have seen today, getting this work done at that price is good news,” she said. “Thank you for all of your hard work on this project.”

Fleming’s proximity, heritage credentials, and access to historically accurate materials were all cited as key advantages. The firm has previously been recognized, with the Heritage Scugog Architectural Conservation & Craftsmanship Award, for their work in the community.