The Olde Barracks
Today’s guest author is Leigh Gibson
The first organization housed in the Olde Barracks after the RCMP left, was Connections. At that point the Olde Barracks was owned by the Olde Barracks Community Development Corporation. Some of the areas of the building were renovated for Connections to be housed there. There were some renovations done to the front room (which apparently is still standing after the recent fire).
The cafeteria area was renovated to be another meeting room. Connections moved in – in either January or February of 1997 to the second floor, after renovating a few rooms into a large office, meeting room & store room. An Open House was held in February to show off the building & the new renovations. Some of the organizations that moved in afterwards were the United Way of Lanark County, IES (Imagery Exploitation Services), Lanark County Food Box, Mississippi School, FII-ON (the Father Involvement Initiative – Ontario Network), NPF (National Projects Fund), the Finance Department from Lanark Community Programs, and the Family Relief Program (also of Lanark Community Programs).
People have also had accommodations there who have participated in Pat Wolfe’s log home building course, and as Tim Campbell mentioned our twin city from Comrie Scotland. There have also been accommodations from other countries participating in specific sporting events (such as soccer). There have been conferences & workshops held there and a newer type of wood stove was installed in the cedar room as a pilot project. The kitchen was well used by all the groups using the space.
Many tours took place at the building. However, after attempts were made to steal the large maps from the walls of the basement (bunker), that door was kept locked. If people remember the building was used by the military during the Ice Storm of 1998. Witnessing the amazing organization, skill, and efficiency of the military in action was amazing. Just a few more tidbits about the building known as the Olde Barracks (from 1997-2006).
Leigh Gibson
lindaseccaspina 