INNISFAIL - The town is considering a request by the Innisfail and District Historical Society to help with the restoration of the pioneer Sinclair House.
Anna Lenters, society president and treasurer Lawrence Gould, asked council on March 13 to contribute $18,000 to "kick off" a fundraising campaign towards Phase 2 of the Sinclair House project, the same amount raised by community citizens for Phase 1.
And while Mayor Brian Spiller said it was a "nice" presentation by the two senior society members, he said following the meeting council members at this time would only discuss their request at an undetermined time to see if it is "worthwhile."
At council's regular meeting on Feb. 28, it was disclosed the town had posted a $460,190 surplus from 2016, and there was followup discussion that some of that money could go towards community projects, such as for the new skatepark and a tournament sports building.
"We do have other ideas on what to do with it (surplus) but we haven't discussed it," said Spiller, adding there is no timeline for council to make a decision on the society's request.
The society presentation to council opened with Lenters giving historical background on the two-storey, 1,400-square-foot log home, now located on the Thomson farm eight kilometres west of Innisfail. Lenters told council the deteriorating 125-year-old structure was the residence of Isabella (Bella) Sinclair, the first Caucasian female to settle in Central Alberta.
She told council that having the Sinclair house at the village would give the society the opportunity to tell the story of settling in Western Canada through the eyes of Bella and her family.
"The story of this family is pivotable to the history of this area," said Lenters, noting the structure would be a good fit with the society's prior acquisitions, the Spruces stopping house and the Poplar Grove cabin. "The trains opened up the west to families looking for inexpensive fertile land. Many individuals in Innisfail are descendants of those very people."
Gould then outlined the society's current budget for Phase 1 of the restoration project. Council was told the Thomson family is prepared to spend more than $30,000 to move the structure to the village, hopefully by July 1 - Canada's 150th birthday.
He said the society now has about $39,400 in revenues for the project, including a $17,000 provincial government grant, along with $22,400 in community cash and in-kind donations. Gould told council that projected expenses are also $39,400, including $13,000 for roof repairs, $8,000 for furnace installation and $7,900 for village site preparation. Council heard the village plan is to have the structure located close to existing gas and water lines between the village's train station and gazebo.
Gould said once the first phase is completed this year Phase 2 can begin, a task that will include completing necessary exterior work, and the removal of interior asbestos and other old insulation. He said the society could then begin interior restoration. Lenters said the society could utilize "sweat equity" for Phase 2, including volunteers from Bowden Institution and school students who could get hands-on experience from the project. Council was told there could also be grant possibilities to help cover the overall cost.
Gould and Lenters both emphasized the ultimate goal for the Sinclair House is to have it open for year-round use, much like the Kemp House. Lenters said it would be a valuable community asset for schools and community meetings, as well as for study and research groups. Council was told the plan would help generate additional money that would make the Sinclair House financially self-sufficient.
"We don't see ourselves coming back to town council every year and be asking for extra money for projects such as this. We need to be sustainable, and that is what we are trying to move towards," said Gould.
Coun. Patt Churchill urged the society to also make a pitch to Red Deer County, noting the Sinclair House has been on county land for more than 125 years.
"If you don't ask you sure won't get it. It won't hurt to make a presentation to them," said Churchill. "I think they are more prone to funding capital than they are operational because it is a one-time thing."
Lawrence Gould, treasurer of the Innisfail and District Historical Society
"We don't see ourselves coming back to town council every year and be asking for extra money for projects such as this. We need to be sustainable, and that is what we are trying to move towards."
