After more than a decade of debates and delays, Guelph councillors voted Wednesday night to demolish the Wilson Farmhouse once and for all.
The structure, which dates back to the 19th century,
Before voting on the issue, councillors heard from 24 delegations, including neighbours who wanted to see it knocked down and others who wanted to see it repurposed.
“It’s been a very fractious issue … partially because of the length of time that it’s gone on,” Mayor Karen Farbridge said following the vote.
“There were proposals around using it as receptions for green weddings and things like that – community uses, neighbourhood uses.”
Councillors ultimately decided that none of those proposals seemed to have a strong business case.
Demolishing the farmhouse will cost the city $30,000.
Renovating it could have cost as much as $500,000.
