Councillor sets sights on saving water tower

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This article was published 20/09/2011 (5099 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s a Brandon landmark that Coun. Len Isleifson (Riverview) says he can’t imagine the Wheat City’s skyline without.

Much like his council predecessor Errol Black did in years before him, Isleifson has launched a grassroots effort to try to save the East End Water tower, which sits directly north of the East End Community Centre in Rideau Park.

Constructed in 1931-32, the 625,000-gallon structure was decommissioned in 2001 and, in 2005, was put on the books by the council of the day for eventual demolition.

With a new recreation hub set to be constructed in Rideau Park in 2012, Isleifson feels the water tower’s demise is now imminent.

“It’s a shame if we would lose it,” he said. “With the Prince Eddy gone and a lot of our landmarks gone, we need to keep something.”

This is not the first push undertaken by a Riverview ward councillor to save the east end landmark. Black, the ward’s former councillor, had suggested in previous years that Brandon should market the water tower for retail use, such as a restaurant or an apartment complex.

A far-reaching request for proposals for the purchase of the tower, however, came up empty.

Black subsequently pushed for the city to spend $20,000 studying the water tower and its potential uses, only to be voted down by his peers on council during the 2009 budget debate.

Then during last fall’s election campaign, Black pushed additional alternate uses for the tower, including a community mural space or a platform for a cellphone tower.

Even Isleifson himself suggested, slightly tongue-in-cheek, during an election debate that the tower would make a “perfect waterslide” as part of the overall rejuvenation of recreation in the area.

While he now admits that an aquatic structure isn’t likely isn’t the best use for such a tall piece of infrastructure, Isleifson said the tower could certainly play an important advertising role in the community.

“Once we build up Rideau Park and it really becomes the ‘hub’ of the east end, here’s an advertising thing that we have right there — ‘Where’s the recreational hub? Hey, it’s right by the water tower,’ ” he said. “So whether we use it and we sell advertising to put on the tower or just use it as an identification mark … when you’re driving in from out of town, you see that tower. It’s a staple not just for the east end, but for Brandon. It’s got Brandon written right on it and I think it just really needs to stay.”

Nearly $275,000 is currently allocated within city’s land acquisition reserve for its demolition.

Isleifson said he’ll be bringing a motion to an upcoming council meeting suggesting the city remove the tower’s demolition from the books and undertake a study as to its future potential.

And while its board of directors has yet to officially weigh in on the issue, the East End Community Centre could play an important part in the tower’s future.

President Dana Austin says she’d personally like to see the structure saved.

“Just listening to all of the people who have grown up in the area and have either moved away or are coming back to visit, the first thing they look for when they go around the corner (on the highway) by Douglas is the water tower. That means they’re almost home,” she said.

“I think Brandon is losing too much of their historical landmarks. Every year, another one’s being taken down. We need one that stays as it is.”

With her board’s approval, Austin said she’ll be looking at having a municipal heritage designation placed on the water tower.

Anyone can apply to the city’s municipal heritage advisory committee for a structure to be considered for such a designation.

In general, a municipal heritage designation will limit what type of development can take place on a property in an effort to maintain the history attached to it.

Isleifson’s push to save the water tower will also be one of the topics of discussion at a ward meeting he is hosting next week at the East End Community Centre.

That meeting is set for Sept. 27, from 7:30 p.m to 10:30 p.m and is open to all ward residents.

People can also support Isleifson’s efforts by logging on to savethetower.weebly.com.

» adowd@brandonsun.com