Crews have been preparing the platform beside Huntsville’s historic train station for a shelter, as the Ontario Northlander is expected to return later this year.
Lucille Frith, a long-time advocate for the preservation of Huntsville’s historic train station and later for the return of the train, said she’s glad the train will be reinstated.
In terms of the former station, Frith said she lobbied for the municipality to purchase the station when it was owned by CN Rail because it was deteriorating. “If there was a broken window, CN simply put up a sheet of plywood, and it became more and more ugly and less and less welcoming for our travellers coming to Huntsville,” she recalled.
Hugh Mackenzie was the mayor at the time and said he remembered his council purchasing the station around 2003 for $25,000 after repeated attempts, and said Frith was an integral part of getting that done.
“When I was mayor, as part of an extensive strategic plan, Council purchased the Huntsville train station from the CNR, partly because it represented a lot of history related to the early development of Huntsville and Algonquin Park,” he said.
The Ontario Northlander passenger rail service was discontinued in September 2012 by the Ontario Liberal government under then-Premier Dalton McGuinty. The decision was made to cut costs, replacing the Toronto-to-Cochrane train service with a bus service.
In 2017, the Town of Huntsville faced major repairs and ongoing maintenance costs for the station and decided to sell it for $2. It approved $158,000 in the 2017 budget for necessary repairs to water and sewer infrastructure. A new owner would be responsible for remediating the mould in the building (at the time estimated at $120,000), replacing the HVAC system (estimated at $30,000), and making necessary upgrades in keeping with the station’s heritage easements.
The Town of Huntsville engaged in an RFP process. Two proposals were submitted – one by the Huntsville and Area Historical Society; the other, the winning bid, by a partnership comprising John Pantaleo, Adam Caswell and Scott Richardson.
The partners proposed to establish a “Community Initiative Centre” with a commercial kitchen where community events or private gatherings could be hosted.
Huntsville Deputy Mayor Dan Armour was the only one on council at the time to vote against the divestment.
“I felt that it was an asset we should hold on to. It definitely had potential in the years to come, not only in rental income but if the train ever returned,” said Armour, adding that it was going to cost money to the taxpayer to hold on to the station.
“We put a lot of money into it,” explained station owner Scott Richardson. He said he never thought the train would return. When discussions were underway about the train’s return and the station was empty, the owners offered to partner with Ontario Northland, but Richardson said they were not interested. He also said there were discussions with the Town of Huntsville to turn the area into a transportation hub, but nothing came of it.
“We had offered the Northland people the building when it was empty, and they told us that they had no interest at all, and that’s when I said Ok, then we’re going to lease it,” he said.
Richardson said the entire building is now being leased by Smokin’ Hot BBQ. In terms of the community kitchen, Richardson said: “We gathered the equipment, but there was no real interest in it, but it’s still a not-for-profit and that building supports itself.” He said the work currently being done by Ontario Northland in anticipation of the train’s return does not impact the station. “They’re doing it on CN property, which doesn’t really affect us.”
Richardson said the station’s heritage values are being maintained.
In the meantime, Frith said she is satisfied. “In actual fact, I’m quite satisfied to go ahead and age, thinking that we had a successful project down there. The historic station was saved then. It’s in the hands of people that are now responsible for maintaining it,” she said, adding that she would, though, like to see the municipality develop some teeth in all of their heritage designations.
“I am glad there is a building that is representative of our history. I’m glad that it attracts so many people down there to eat apparently good food, and I would’ve loved to have a part of it for a waiting room, but that’s just not practical,” said Frith. “What I am glad about is that the Ontario Northland basically accepted the fact that there was space right next to it [the station] to put the acrylic shelter and provide for the visitors that are coming and going, and the residents.”
Mackenzie said things change over time. “Subsequent councils were faced with financial challenges for the station due to its unstable condition. While I may have made a different decision, their decision was based on conditions, circumstances and priorities present at the time. Yes, with the Northlander returning, I think it would have been better if the station was in municipal hands. However, one cannot blame the private sector for seeking a business opportunity that was offered or a council that had a number of current priorities to consider,” he said.
The shelters will be placed at stops in Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, South River, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Kirkland Lake (Swastika), and Matheson.
According to Ontario Northland, they will offer: CCTV security cameras, real-time train arrival updates, ample lighting, reliable heating and Wi-Fi connectivity.
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Bathrooms will be essential. Hopefully the entire platform receives an overhaul. Maybe Smokin Hot could have their doors open for arrival departure times ( cafe – special deals for passengers etc…) Architects could be very creative with street/water access project. Awaiting the Northlander.
This is already set up for failure! Who in Toronto is going to be able to take a train that leaves 10.30 in the morning. Most won’t be off work till 5 or later and they are not going to wait till Saturday because a big part of the weekend is already gone. A train is nt needed. If a bud car was put on that left Toronto at 1900 most people would be off work. Think of the husband’s that would e able to rest on the way to tell cottage on the way there and back. Even more essential would cut down on the avalanche of cars going North on Fri night and returning late Sunday. Would be worth the effort in the number of lives saved alone..When l worked in Toronto by working every other weekend l could come back to Parry Sound Thursday evening and back to Toronto on Sunday. One could run Cp the Parry Sound /Sudbury route and the other CN or Northlander through North Bay. Oh wait a minute. That would make sense and we couldn’t have that! If you want government to do something you have to propose the opposite to what you want so they can think it was their idea!
Good story informing about the recent history of the station. Still hoping for a commitment to provide a public washroom for train (and bus) customers. Listed priorities of: “CCTV security cameras…Wi-Fi connectivity” would go lower on my list. The bus is usually on time but given VIA Rail’s poor on-time performance I’m suspecting the Northlander train will be similar – hence the need for a washroom on-site as there are certainly none nearby. Shall write to Ontario Northland encouraging such a provision.
Re the train shelter. It is at least one step in the right direction. At least customers will not be sitting out in the rain.
It would be better if the shelter was a bit bigger and could handle the bus services too, all in one hub rather than the open air shelter up on the main street for the bus, then the train down the hill.
There needs to be two things still.
One, would be a place where train customers, going to Toronto for a day or three could park their cars close to this shelter.
Two, would be where is the washroom? Both shelters should have a washroom available. Obviously this is not going to happen at either current or proposed shelter so maybe some agreement and physical arrangement for the train and bus customers to be able to access a washroom either in the old station or maybe a brand new one attached to the outside of the old station, one that could use the services, water, sewer and hydro, from the old station building, thus making it cheaper to construct and able to service both train and bus customers.
A thought comes to mind also in that if you remember back 50 to 100 years, the train used to drop off customers at Huntsville and there they could board boats, at the dock in front of the train station (some of the old piers are still there). Well, if a safe route could be constructed to cross the train tracks and access the current water front trail and if some kind of public dock was constructed at this location, then customers could come to Huntsville by train, and in season, board a boat tour of the local lakes, with stops at places like the downtown of Huntsville, maybe at Camp Kitchen to see the pioneer heritage place and train, maybe to places like Deerhurst or Hidden valley for a nice meal or even overnight stays.
This would / could be made into a rather unique and possibly very popular tourist attraction to the Huntsville area, without the need to accommodate any more cars in the area, something that as gas phases out in the future might become a big financial plus for the area.
Lots of stuff here for the private sector to chew on.
Really looking forward to the return of passenger services.
Wanting to see the train roll by during its test run’s.
Good transportation is a key to growth in a community.
Yes, housing is a real need too and must be addressed.