Recommending the wrecking ball: Heritage Kitchener suggests Freeport Sanatorium building come down

Time appears to be running out for a building once the men's residence at the former Freeport Sanatorium but now sits decrepit and derelict.

The Heritage Kitchener committee has voted in favour of sending a motion to City Council suggesting it let a 60-day demolition notice period run its course.

The decision, unanimous, but for one abstention and a healthy helping of frustration.

“I have to say how disappointed I am that this building has resulted in this travesty,” said committee member Jean Haalboom. “I really am very, very disappointed on this part, especially with an organization that runs a hospital and with this particular building, why not have secured it over time?” 

How much time has passed since the building, now owned by Grand River Hospital, was last used isn't quite clear.

A heritage report suggests it's sat vacant about 20 years though the hospital suggests it's been more than twice that long.

“We have a fellow that works in our department that's been here since 1976 and the building's actually been empty since 1976 so more like 46 years,” said Kevin Wilson, GRH's facilities director.

However long it's been since its last use though, the disappointment it wasn't kept in better condition remains.

“I was very disappointed to see that this building was left for so long,” said Councillor Christine Michaud, echoing Haalboom's sentiment. “On the other hand I'm grateful Grand River Hospital has taken over the Freeport building and has maintained the women's side of it.”

“I looked at that small building being torn down because it's just been left alone but then, on the other hand, the rest of the whole property is looking quite well,” she said. “So I'm hoping the rest of the building will stand the test of time.”

The motion now heading to Kitchener council does suggest several skids of bricks will be removed and saved so they can be re-used to make future repairs elsewhere and it also calls for the former men's residence to be documented prior to demolition.

That motion will now go before city council on Monday and, with the 60-day notice period having started in mid-March, a green light could see the building meet a wrecking ball as soon as next month.