Quinte West City Council has requested that staff put together a report looking into a heritage property tax relief program.
This comes following a delegation regarding the Wooler Schoolhouse Project.
Originally built as a log cabin, the building located at 62 County Road 5 was renovated and expanded over the years, growing into a small red schoolhouse in 1870 and then expanding again into a three-storey prairie-style building in 1928.
The building closed as a schoolhouse in 1966, however, it continued to be used by the community as an event space operated by the Provincial Council for Boy Scouts of Canada up until 2021.
In February 2024, the Old Wooler Schoolhouse was designated as a heritage site by the City of Quinte West.
In a presentation to council, Bob Lawson, member of Wooler and Area Community Organization, outlined plans to restore the building over the next 12 months so that it can return to being used in the community.
This would include spaces for community events, farmers markets, seasonal markets, art and music events and craft shows among others.
Restoration would be done in partnership with Moira Brothers Properties, who purchased the building in 2022.
In order to help with renovations, the group has applied for federal grants to help fund the project.
For Quinte West, Lawson asked council to look into implementing a heritage property tax relief program as well as a community improvement plan for the school.
After putting forward a motion to initially look at both, council changed the motion to look at the possibility of the tax relief program.
The report will be brought forward to council at a future meeting.
