I’m not from Almonte, but I am very familiar with the Dungarvon building and as a good friend of Chris the owner, I have been present through the trials and tribulations of the past 5 yrs. I am deeply saddened and repulsed by the town’s treatment of the building and of the person who is trying to restore the building and make it functional for the community. It is a beautiful building and everything that Chris has done inside and out shows his love for the stone church. And he has done this while he provided constant palliative care to his dying mother( a wonderful woman I might add) and after the unfortunate death of his father the same day he became owner of the building. His love and vision for the building is inspiring, I myself would love to live in the building if I had the chance.
I was present in Almonte when the town declared it unsafe because of a “fallen brick”…has anyone seen the building???? It is NOT made of brick!! Stone people…it is made of STONE!! Get your facts straight. I’m not into politics, but I am a provincial government employee from Northern Ontario…a hick ,really, to you city people, but I do understand the workings of a small town and it seems to me and anyone that I have discussed this matter with in the past few years, that the town acted prematurely and has done everything in it’s power to hinder the progress of 38 Main…yes I do know the address..amazing for a hick , I know….
As I have been present through the demolition of the top part of the tower(which brought me to tears to see this amazing building brought to a lower level) I wonder why it took sooooo long for the Heritage foundation of your town(which publicly prides itself on the restoration of the heritage buildings in the town and the town as a whole claims its fame by pointing out the many heritage buildings contained with in it’s limits and the care they are given) to help or try to help or even cause a public out cry about the destruction of one of your landmarks?… I may seem angry …and I am. Not for the reason you think though, I may be a good friend of the owner but I love this building and I think it deserves the same treatment and chance at a new life that your town has given it’s other old stone buildings. Why would a town council stop someone who is trying so hard to make it a functioning part of your community …it just boggles my mind. As an ending thought to sum everything up it is a deplorable situation and not one easily solved. Though if I had the money myself I would gladly offer everything I had to help make this building shine the way it can and does! Not for the town or even for my good friend….(though with out him I would never have been exposed to this beautiful building) but for the building itself. It is beautiful and really and truly in my opinion can not have asked for a better custodian then Mr.Loosemore who has poured everything he has: his heart, his soul, and untold dollars into the building. I am not looking to offend anyone with this post but with the debaucle continuing I refused to stay silent and wanted your town to know that the problem with your town has reached and is being observed as far away as Northern Ontario. Thank you, Stacey Lynne
As I have been present through the demolition of the top part of the tower(which brought me to tears to see this amazing building brought to a lower level) I wonder why it took sooooo long for the Heritage foundation of your town(which publicly prides itself on the restoration of the heritage buildings in the town and the town as a whole claims its fame by pointing out the many heritage buildings contained with in it’s limits and the care they are given) to help or try to help or even cause a public out cry about the destruction of one of your landmarks?… I may seem angry …and I am. Not for the reason you think though, I may be a good friend of the owner but I love this building and I think it deserves the same treatment and chance at a new life that your town has given it’s other old stone buildings. Why would a town council stop someone who is trying so hard to make it a functioning part of your community …it just boggles my mind. As an ending thought to sum everything up it is a deplorable situation and not one easily solved. Though if I had the money myself I would gladly offer everything I had to help make this building shine the way it can and does! Not for the town or even for my good friend….(though with out him I would never have been exposed to this beautiful building) but for the building itself. It is beautiful and really and truly in my opinion can not have asked for a better custodian then Mr.Loosemore who has poured everything he has: his heart, his soul, and untold dollars into the building. I am not looking to offend anyone with this post but with the debaucle continuing I refused to stay silent and wanted your town to know that the problem with your town has reached and is being observed as far away as Northern Ontario.
