April 16, 2003

The Hinton Train Station Preservation Steering Committee is currently working to prevent the demolition of the oldest building in Hinton, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Station House, built in 1911. 

Since February of this year a strong group of community members have formed the steering committee to explore the possibilities for the preservation of Hinton’s oldest building, a building that is currently still in use!

Opportunities have been identified and presented to Hinton Town Council asking for support for the project. Hinton Town Council has voted unanimously to “support in principle and on a non-financial basis, the committee’s effort to preserve the station.  This support will include having Town administration work with the committee to select a piece of Town land for the train station and to start the rezoning process of the land if necessary”.

The Steering Committee is now communicating its efforts and requesting letters of support in principle for this project.  At this time in the development of the project, your letter of support for this Community Cultural project is important.  This support will assist in identifying the need for such a project and will also assist in building a network of preservation and cultural supporters.

The steering committee has identified a number of potential sites for relocation of the building within Hinton town limits.  Town engineering staff are working with committee members to explore each site fully and identify appropriate criteria for determining the suitability of each site. 

Contact has been made with VIA Rail Canada in Winnipeg, the current lease holders and company responsible for the station house, concerning the purchase of the building for preservation.  The steering committee is now working with VIA Rail Canada to draw up a contract to purchase the building for $1.00. The contract will include having the building moved from the current location due to safety concerns.

The committee is in the process of forming a registered, non-profit society and have developed goals and strategies.

The goals developed are:

            1 -to prevent the station building from being demolished; 
            2 -to preserve historical integrity and promote the future use of the station,
            3 -partner with community groups for future use.

The strategies are:

        1 -to acquire station and land 
           -to move on to lot

         2 -to identify funding needs
            -to pursue funding opportunities with grant application / transfer of existing funds
            -to plan fund raising activities

        3 -document and promote as Hinton's "oldest" building.
          -restore with guidance from historical resource adviser. 
          -encourage use as educational, interpretive center. 
          -speak to community groups to promote the project. 

I have included for your reference the Committee Members list and letters of support from the Hinton & District Historical Foundation and the Hinton Forest Centre, managers of the local Forestry Museum.

Additional information on the preservation status of the station house is available at the web site www.hintonhistory.com . Link to the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway for more information on the history of the station house and the rail lines of the early 20th century.

Thank you for your support and if you have questions please do not hesitate to call myself or any other members of the committee.

 

Sincerely,

Lorraine Johnston-MacKay
Chairperson
Hinton Train Station Preservation Steering Committee