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EMERGENCY DEPUTATION BY CATHY COLEBATCH CONCERNING MOTION 21-G-218, RESTORATION AND DONATION OF HISTORIC TRAIN - ENGINE 1531
Cathy Colebatch advised of her support to refer the report back to staff to explore other options for Engine 1531. She discussed the potential opportunities to work collectively with the County, City and the community to bring a heritage vision back to Allandale and to elevate heritage and tourism in the City.
Ms. Colebatch discussed past City events attended by Heritage Barrie and the Allandale Historic Neighbourhood Association and the number of residents and visitors to the City interested in bringing back Engine 1531 to Allandale and Barrie’s Waterfront. She commented that at the last Celebrate Barrie event in 2019, a petition was signed with over 300 signatures to bring back Engine 1531 and over 1300 paper trains have been handed to children over the years.
Ms. Colebatch discussed the history and importance of Engine 1531 to Allandale including the first rail to come from Toronto to Allandale in 1850, the landmark buildings, the Farmhouse where the railway workers stayed and Allandale as the original resting place for locomotives back in the day.
Ms. Colebatch advised that in her opinion Engine 1531 would be an asset to the City of Barrie and for tourism in Barrie. She noted that as Allandale has become a major transportation and mobility hub for Metrolink’s GO-Train and other bus lines serviced through the area, this a great opportunity for heritage tourism.
Ms. Colebatch questioned the timeline of a new staff report to be presented back to Council.