During their committee of the whole Jan. 15, District of 100 Mile House councillors discussed a letter requesting a permanent-use space at The Lodge.
The South Cariboo Spinners, Weavers and Fibre Artists Guild asked for a room large enough that their looms and other equipment could be left assembled so members can use them regularly. The guild also wanted to store material, display stands and related items.
Noting they have a tight budget, they hoped to have the permanent-use space for free or make an in-kind payment arrangement.
Discussion around the council table began with the question of whether there is room to provide such a space.
Councillor Bill Hadden said he believed there was room because the (100 Mile House & District Historical Society) has moved its possession out of The Lodge and is no longer using the facility.
However, Mayor Mitch Campsall said the district would have to talk to the society first prior to leasing out to another organization.
Coun. Ralph Fossum noted he believed there was room in the addition on the north side of the building, where there is around 1,000 square feet of office space of which the Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre uses about 25 per cent.
"So, there is at least 750 square feet of good quality office space that is vacant. However, there is a problem with washroom availability – there are no washrooms attached to it."
Unless they were able to access washrooms in the main building, or in the Valley Room, he added, there is a challenge.
However, there are washrooms in The Lodge, Fossum said, adding the museum group isn't currently using it.
Council should take a walk through the facilities as a group, so everyone gets some understanding of what is there, he suggested.
"I think we're repeatedly going to get people saying, 'Let's use it' and I'm one of them saying, 'let's utilize it better'."
Noting the historical society has moved its possessions out, Fossum said council would have to talk to them because they have some degree of tenure.
"We need to clarify, and then if they are willing to relinquish, we can look at this other space and give some thought as to how it can be utilized together."
Coun. Mingo noted the guild members also suggested they would like to use the space for periodic displays, seminars, demonstrations, meetings and to outreach to schools, seniors, the disabled and the general public.
It was noted that if the suggestion is to have The Lodge used for a public function, there is a problem.
Mayor Campsall asked what it would cost to bring the building up to standard for public use. Administrator Roy Scott said a tender came in around $70,000, and he reminded council that it had decided not to put any more public funds into that facility.
He noted the district is working with the Cariboo Regional District have the facility included in the South Cariboo Recreation function.
Scott also reminded council that it approved a policy in July 2012 that it would no longer give free rent for district facilities.
Council then passed a motion to receive the letter.
Following the meeting, Scott explained The Lodge was closed to public use and public events because it required structural repairs to the floor.
He added Phil Strain, former district director of engineering and community services, had noted the floor needed structural repairs in the basement area and estimated it would cost around $70,000.
Scott said a structural engineer came in to look at it and put the tender package together, and lowest tender came in at around $68,000. "So, Phil's estimate was bang on."
During the same time period, Strain also did an engineering report estimating that $280,000 of additional work on the building would be required for plumbing and heating. This figure included the structural work on the floor, Scott said.
The administrator added there are also fire code issues that have to be addressed at some point.
"We're doing some of that now because we just can't leave it."
Scott explained the historical society holds the lease on the building and is waiting to have a meeting with council because it would like to renew the lease.