Grey Highlands council has agreed to purchase the Feversham sand dome property from Grey County.
Council at its meeting on May 4, approved a plan to purchase the sand dome from the county for a price of $1.
The decision ends a long saga involving the property that dates back more than a decade. The sand dome, located just outside of Feversham, was jointly owned by Grey County and the former Osprey Township in a 55 - 45 split. After municipal restructuring in the early 2000s, the cost-sharing between the county and Grey Highlands continued at 55-45, with the county looking after the property and billing the municipality for its share of any work done at the property.
In 2012, Grey County restructured its winter road maintenance and no longer required the property. However, Grey Highlands still used the sand dome for winter road maintenance. At the time, the fabric covering the sand dome was severely damaged and there was much calamity to get it replaced.
“The canvas went on four different times before they got it right,” said Grey Highlands Mayor Paul McQueen.
Last summer, Grey County council voted to terminate the joint ownership of the property and negotiate a sale to the municipality.
Councillor Paul Allen asked municipal staff about the plans for the property going forward, noting that a county report on the property recommended demolishing the existing structure and replacing it with a new building.
Director of Transportation Chris Cornfield said staff would bring a full report to council with options for next steps for the property at a future meeting and advised that work will be needed at the property.
“The existing fabric has deteriorated to the point that it needs to be removed,” said Cornfield.
