It took only about a half-hour shortly after 9 a.m. for a crew to demolish the windmill that was built in the mid-1970s for use as a tearoom and gift shop. In the spring of 1982, the windmill was moved to the waterfront where Bear River Board of trade owned and carried the liability for the windmill along with a portion of waterfront.
A meeting in May publicly revealed the woeful condition of the building. Floors had deteriorated and there was mold and rot in the ceiling and elsewhere. On May 21, structural engineer Francis Doucet inspected the building and concluded it should be demolished as soon as possible and another meeting was held in the community for Doucet to present his findings.
“They presented only one side of the story,” said Bear River resident Zoe Onysko. “A lot of us are upset in which the process of this demolition has taken place.”
She said the general membership of the Bear River Board of Trade did not get to vote on the decision to demolish the windmill, which cost between $3,500 - $8,000.
A couple of former board of trade directors said, “We’ve definitely been misled,” and “I think the wool has been pulled over people’s eyes.”
A lot of us are upset in which the process of this demolition has taken place. - Bear River resident Zoe Onysko
Another said the windmill was rotten but not beyond repair.
With the windmill gone, the visitor information centre will open July 1 in Oakdene Centre.
As to what will happen to the waterfront, a public meeting is planned in July but a date and time has not been decided, said board of trade spokesperson Flora Doehler.
ldelong@digbycourier.ca
