Former George Hamilton School in Port Hope could soon be on the selling block

Port Hope Town Hall. Northumberland 89.7 File Photo.

By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 News and the Local Journalism Initiative.

Port Hope Municipal Council will declare a former school site it now owns as surplus property, with the intention to sell. The property had been subject to potential surplus designation for months, however Port Hope Police Service attempted to save the building for training purposes.

Council voted 5-2 in favour Tuesday of declaring the former George Hamilton Public School and authorizing its sale. The two dissenting votes, from Deputy Mayor Vikki Mink and Councillor Darrell Toms both cited police training over the next 18 months as the reason for the municipality to retain the property.

Mink said neigbouring police forces could come to Port Hope to train. She adds that charging a fee to use the former school could be an economic opportunity for the town.

“We did see that the police could be spending potentially $90,000 for 45 days going elsewhere. That's $90,000 of levy going to somebody else. There is a business model of just for that purpose alone in attracting other [police] services here as well,” Mink said.

Councillor Les Andrews, who also serves as Chair of the Port Hope Police Services Board countered saying the business case for keeping the building  is no longer viable as police departments in Peterborough and Durham are too examining their own training facilities.

“The Chief was quite clear on the fact Peterborough will have their own. Durham will have their own. So, now we’re down to Cobourg and ourselves to potentially share the costs. It’s not viable,” explained Andrews.

Port Hope Police Chief Tim Farquason addressed Council stating his officers could use the former school for training for up to 50 days a year. He stressed that police are encountering different scenarios each day so the building could be utilized for additional mental health training.

Director of Finance David Baxter told Council that it could not leave the property to decay. He said upkeep on it would cost each household $60 a year or increase taxes by 1.25 percent. A report to Council indicates the former George Hamilton Public School is appraised at $590,000.