Heather Wright/The Independent

The Lamrecton Worship Hall could be used for community gatherings, but using the building for commercial uses would require some big upgrades.

That from Plympton-Wyoming’s Public Works Director Paul daSilva.

In 2023, the coffee vendor who rents space at the Camlachie area lakefront park suggested the last remaining building from the original camp could be turned into a market space for summer vendors.

Oct. 29, daSilva said in a report to council a lot of work would need to be done to bring the space, now used for storage for equipment like lawnmowers, up to Ontario Building Code regulations for a marketplace.

daSilva says the county building official and the fire chief identified a number of issues including lack of insulation, heat, minimal lighting, no water or sanitary services, only a roll-up door and one man-door, and inside, there is a concrete platform without stairs or guards. 

“A proposed use for community gatherings without vendor sales could continue” daSilva writes, saying a building permit wouldn’t be needed for that to happen but the hall would need to be brought up to the Ontario Fire Code standards. 

“Using the hall for a market with vendor sales would trigger a full change of use, requiring extensive work to bring the building into compliance, particularly in the areas of fire safety, accessibility, lighting, and sanitation,” he wrote.

daSilva estimates engineering the project would cost between $15,000 and $20,000 and at minimum $50,000 to bring the building up to standards.

He added the town would also have to find another place to store its equipment. 

“I don’t understand why this has come back up,” said Deputy Mayor Netty McEwen, “because Lamrecton is a passive park.”

McEwen says there is already a commercial use in the park and more, in the form of a market “just doesn’t gel with the use of a passive park.”

Councillors also wondered if a new community space would draw people away from the Camlachie Community Centre.

Councillor Bob Woolvett thinks the idea has some merit.

“That’s where the population is…we’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in that park. I don’t believe it would have any affect on the community centre; it’s a different set up. It’s a different atmosphere…I think it would be a great fit for the park.”

Council took no immediate action on the report.