Brighton’s historic hops barn is one step closer to finding a new home – and it looks as though that new home could be the Codrington Community Centre area.
As previously reported, a dedicated community effort has been underway dating back years to relocate the 144-year-old hops barn built in 1880.
Back in March, Bruce Davis, secretary-treasurer of the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund, appeared before council on behalf of the board of directors and project advocates, explaining council’s support was the final piece of the puzzle to make the relocation possible.
Long housed at the former Memory Junction Museum property, the group asked for support in relocating the barn onto municipal land, ideally in Codrington.
“This barn is one of the last physical reminders of an important part of Brighton’s agricultural 19th century history,” said Davis, as he earlier called on the municipality for its help.
Council lent its support earlier in March and followed through at its latest May meeting.
However, staff still have to bring back another report to the June 3 council meeting.
At the May meeting, after a staff report on the proposal, council endorsed the initiative as a municipal project and the proposal detailed by staff to relocate the hops kiln barn to the Codrington Community Centre property at 2992 County Rd. 30.
Council also further OK’d waiving of any related building permit fees through a transfer from the grants-in-aid budget to the building reserve. CAO Elana Arthurs confirmed this was doable with $36,000 remaining in the grants budget at that time.
Further, with endorsement of the barn relocation as a municipal project, it’s also exempt from development charges, according to staff’s report.
Council was unanimous in advancing the project forward.
Essentially, this was the ask delivered to council back in March – that the municipality aid with a location, and that any fees such as building permit-related costs be given as a grant.
All other project costs related to dismantling, relocating and reassembling the barn are being covered in the community through in-kind supports, donations, et cetera, as area residents and businesses have rallied around the project with hopes of preserving local heritage.
After the relocation project is done, the group has proposed essentially “gifting” the barn to the municipality.
As part of the municipal process to achieve relocation, engineering drawings were recently approved.
The staff report still to come is due to a necessary set-back permit from the county and a site plan to be provided by the municipality. These items are needed to issue an official building permit, explained staff.
These items are anticipated to be brought forward at the June 3 meeting.
Relocation efforts were first started by the late Dennis ‘Fletch’ Fletcher back in 2019.
Once the barn is relocated, revitalized and in its new space, the barn will stand for years to come, potentially serving the community through space for education, the arts, recreation, commerce, and more.
As previously reported, more than half-a-dozen businesses – including Cole’s Timber Mart, which now owns the former museum property and donated the barn – alongside tradespeople and more have signed on to help with the project.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
