The old horse barn just ain’t what it used to be, so it’s coming down.
Salmon Arm council has given approval to the Salmon Arm and Shuswap Lake Agriculture Association (SASLAA) to tear down the old horse barn along 5th Ave. SW.
A letter to the city by SASLAA president Phil Wright states the plan is to replace the “badly deteriorated horse barn at the North end of the leased property with a multi use pole building.” The building would accommodate a wide range of user groups and equestrian events.
The letter was received by council, and by the city’s Heritage Commission, as the Salmon Arm Fairgrounds are not only city property leased by SASLAA, but also part of Salmon Arm’s heritage register.
Coun. Alan Harrison, who sits on the commission, explained the reason the fairgrounds are part of the register is because it has historically served as a community meeting place.
“The only building that is of concern to the heritage commission is the old arena,” Harrison explained. “And we’re all familiar with that. It was built basically through volunteers in celebration following the Second World War. So the heritage commission has no concern with the removal of the horse barn. We don’t feel it has any historical value.”
Council approved the demolition after city administrator Carl Bannister said a motion to approve was needed because the building is part of the heritage register, and because the lessee needs the approval of the city to construct a new building.