An investigation into an early spring buzzing bee problem at the historic Kemp House has forced town council to approve spending of more than $21,000 to fix the problem.
The issue is the home's cedar shingled roof, which due to age, has now developed holes that allow bees to get in and cause alarm for tenants of the two-and-a-half-storey heritage structure that was built in 1893 by Dr. Henry George on a low hill overlooking Dodd's Lake to the north.
Tammy Oliver-McCurdie, the town's Family and Community Support Services Manager, told council at its regular meeting on Aug. 25 that staff working for the two agencies – Innisfail Family Centre and Innisfail Family Day Home Society – that use the structure at 5713 - 51 Ave. started being harassed by bees in the upper half of the building last spring.
She said a probe by a town facility technician revealed the bees were coming into the attic through various holes in the roof.
“The shingling showed various areas that had lifted and deteriorating from the water damage, as well as just life damage from the roof,” said Oliver-McCurdie of the damage to the roof, which has not had any maintenance work done in about 20 years.
Council was told temporary repairs were made but a permanent solution was required or there could be further damage to the interior of the building.
Oliver-McCurdie said the facility technician received quotes for the cost of repairs in May and said the preferred quote came in at $42,210.
As the Kemp House is an officially designated historical provincial resource, half of that cost, $21,105, would be eligible under an Alberta heritage program with the Alberta Historical Resource Foundation, council was told.
Oliver-McCurdie said Alberta government heritage officials have already looked at the roof issue and suggested making the application for the grant, noting the cedar shingled roof is a key component of the historical building.
She said the guidelines for provincial heritage grant approval state the repairs must be made with the same cedar shingle material that was originally part of the structure when it was built.
Oliver-McCurdie told council there was urgency getting council's approval on Aug. 25 to spend $21,105 from the town's 2013 surplus funds as the deadline for this type of grant application with the province was Sept. 2.
“It is coming up right away and it's why we have to act really quickly. The next funding allotment does not come until February 2, 2015,” said Oliver-McCurdie, adding the town will be notified within three weeks of the grant being processed whether the application is successful.
Oliver-McCurdie, who said she was confident of grant approval, said it's hoped the roof work can start in mid-October, and be completed within a week.
“It is a short project and obviously they bring in a lot of resources and labour for that,” she said.
Oliver-McCurdie said there would be no work disruptions for the two agencies using the structure.
