Josh Boyce – Blackburn News Sarnia, July 22, 2019
Petrolia’s heritage buildings are being preserved to maintain the town’s unique look.
Facade improvements are planned this year at Circle Studios, and the Masonic Temple Vaughn Block on Petrolia Line, and at the Black Gold Brewery on Fletcher Street.
Petrolia’s Heritage Advisory Committee is providing a total of $12,000 toward the projects.
Chairperson Liz Welsh said it’s great to see the town’s old buildings refreshed.
“These buildings tell multiple stories of businesses over the years, and families, and entrepreneurs, and hard oil people,” said Welsh. “They not only tell our stories, but the craftsmanship in some of these buildings is really quite extraordinary. So, it’s inherent to preserve all of that and to make us proud of our downtown. We have one of the best preserved downtowns in Ontario, I think.”
Each year, the committee has a budget set by council for these restoration and maintenance projects, with the hope to maintain and improve the downtown buildings in the historic core of Petrolia.
The committee accepts applications in March, with an April meeting to determine successful candidates.
The grant covers up to half of the cost of the approved facade improvements, up to $10,000 per property.
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