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City OKs saving silos

By Vicki Gilhula Sudbury city councillors got sentimental earlier this week and gave unanimous support for a plan that would turn the historic Flour Mill silos into a recreation centre.
By Vicki Gilhula

Sudbury city councillors got sentimental earlier this week and gave unanimous support for a plan that would turn the historic Flour Mill silos into a recreation centre.

The planning committee of the whole approved in principle the plan to restore the silos recommended by Sawchuk Peach Associates.

The plan was commissioned by the Flour Mill business improvement area board. FedNor contributed $13,000 toward the study, which calls for the silos to be renamed Flour Mill Active Living Centre/de vie active du Moulin Fleur.

Two silos would be used for a rock-climbing academy and gym; while other silos could house le Centre franco-ontarien de folklore, currently on Ste. Anne's Road, as well as rest stop/coffee shop along the Junction Creek Waterway Trail System. The plan puts a restaurant and viewing deck on the top of the silos, on Notre Dame Avenue, in Sudbury's historic Franco-Ontarian neighbourhood.

Councillor Ron Dupuis said he grew up in the Flour Mill area of Sudbury. "It's hard to put into words what the Flour Mill silos" mean to people from the neighbourhood, he said.

Councillor Louise Portelance expressed the same feelings. She told the committee her grandmother used to live across the street from the silos.

The city has lost too many of its heritage buildings, she said.

The silos are owned by the city. It is estimated that exterior restoration would cost about $595,000, about the same as tearing the structure down. Restoration of the silos to include a climbing gym would cost about $1.4 million.

The planning committee's endorsement of the plan means a steering committee can be set up to identify businesses interested in getting involved in the project as well as funding opportunities.

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