The Township of North Glengarry is exploring options to address structural issues at the Dunvegan Recreation Centre after an engineering assessment found the building’s floor structure is in fair-to-poor condition and may require a full replacement. On Thursday, July 29, at the Committee of the Whole meeting, North Glengarry Council received the report outlining the structural assessment completed by EVB Engineering.
The estimated cost of the replacement project is approximately $200,000, although Director of Community Services Stephanie MacRae noted the final cost will be determined through a tender process.
MacRae said the township hired EVB Engineering after concerns were raised about the condition of the hall’s floor structure. The assessment found deteriorated and rotting wooden beams beneath the existing floor surface, with portions of the structure requiring reinforcement or replacement.
The hall, built in 1919, remains an important community facility used for events, recreational activities, fundraisers, meetings, weddings, and family functions. The hall continues to be operated with the support of volunteers from the Dunvegan Recreation Association (DRA), which manages the facility.
Due to the age of the building and the extent of the deterioration, EVB recommended replacing the entire floor structure rather than completing smaller repairs that could require additional work in the future.
The engineering report recommended the work be completed within the next year. While the report did not recommend immediate closure of the facility, the DRA has proactively reduced the hall’s capacity to one-third as a precaution. Major events, including weddings and festivals, have been cancelled until repairs are completed.
MacRae said the issue was initially expected to involve replacing the hardwood floor, but further investigation revealed problems with the supporting structure underneath.
The DRA has committed to fundraising toward the project, although MacRae noted its ability to raise money is limited while the hall’s use is restricted.
The association currently has $12,500 in a reserve fund for the project, built through annual capital allocations from the township. The DRA also received $10,914 in operating funding from the township in 2026 and raised more than $8,000 in 2025 through fundraising and hall rental revenue.
Council discussed several potential funding options, including using township reserves, requiring a fundraising contribution from the DRA, and recovering a portion of costs through future recreation capital allocations.
Mayor Jamie MacDonald said the project needs to move forward, but suggested obtaining additional quotes before deciding how it will be funded. He described the $200,000 estimate as “a little bit of a crazy number.”
“I think it’s clear that this has to get done, and we have to do it. We have a year to get it done, but the sooner the better. It’s just a matter of how we pay for it,” MacDonald said.
Deputy Mayor Carma Williams highlighted the importance of local recreation associations in maintaining community facilities.
“We’re darn lucky to have these recreation associations that fundraise and work with boots on the ground to maintain these facilities,” Williams said.
Councillors also raised concerns about whether other municipal facilities could face similar issues and whether the township needs a broader approach to managing aging community buildings.
Council unanimously directed staff to seek additional cost information, meet with the DRA to discuss funding possibilities, and return to council at a later date with a recommendation on how the project should be funded.
