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2 Town Hall Centre construction update Artifacts of Acton's rich heritage ­ a treasure trove of memorabilia ­ is finding its way from generous donators to the Acton Town Hall Centre to be displayed in the underconstruction expansion to the original building. The additional 1,700-square-feet will make the building, opened in 1883, fully accessible with an elevator. The expansion ­ faithfully rendered to match like the original Italianate-style facility ­ also includes an atrium, mezzanine and Citizens' Hall, where Acton's heritage will be displayed, including two clock faces from the longsince-demolished Acton post office, will be displayed. Planning how to showcase Acton's rich heritage is where the "excitement and passion" comes in, according Heritage Chair Ron Birrell who said they hope to have rotating exhibits of "who we were and who we are as a community." "We've had some absolutely amazing stuff donated to us already ­ along with the clock faces we have the original Acton railway station sign and a beautiful oil painting and the mural that was in the old library," Birrell said on Sunday, adding they also received several drying racks from the Beardmore Tannery. He said the plan is for a full scale rendering of a portion of the old Acton railway station, with a three-dimensional section that would be Town hall Centre's ticket booth. In 1974, with the advent of Regional government, the Town Hall was deemed surplus and allowed to fall into disrepair. In 1977, when the Town decided to demolish the Town Hall to make way for parking for the adjacent fire hall, a group of citizens ­ who evolved into the registered charity Heritage Acton ­ stepped up to save the building, persuading elected officials to sell it to them for $1, and later to sell them the fire hall for $2. With the hard work of dedicated volunteers and grants from the Trillium Foundation and Town Council, the building has undergone a loving transformation, back to the glory days when it served as the social hub of the Town. While the building now meets all current building code standards, the ornate heritage of the facility was preserved ­ from the bell tower to the grand staircase to the period crown mouldings. To make the facility truly useable for all, an elevator was a necessity and Heritage Acton developed plans for the expansion ­ an ambitious $600,000 project for which a fundraising plan was developed, including the Buy a Brick campaign that allows people to purchase an engraved brick which will form an interior wall. Every night on his way home from work, Birrell drives by the Willow Street location to check on the progress ­ this week, carpenters are building THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2012 ADDITION TAKES SHAPE: Once complete the addition to the Acton Town Hall Centre will mirror the Italianate-style of the original building, saved from the wrecker's ball to become, again, a social hub for the community. - Ted Tyler photo Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year TD Canada Trust 252 Queen Street Acton, Ontario L7J 1P6 T: 519 853 5046 F: 519 853 5069 the roof structure and the mezzanine floor. "In the New Year the elevator contractor will come in and start to install the elevator," Birrell said in Sunday, adding everyday "something special" takes place at the site. Once the elevator is installed, Birrell said the dollars and cents would determine how much of the interior finishing work can be afforded and how much more fundraising is needed. "One of the refurbished clock faces will go at the front of the building up on the peak, and the other will be at the top of the elevator shaft in the atrium," Birrell said, adding they both will be operational. He said the 1,700-square-foor addition includes a grand-level entry that opens into a main floor space with soaring 35 to 40-feet ceilings and lots of glass for natural light. "There's a set of stairs that take you up and around the elevator shaft to the top where there's a mezzanine that takes up about half of the open space with a glass wall that separate the old building from the new," Birrell said. He said the final fundraising will "put the icing on the cake," to put paint on the walls and trim out the display cases. They hope most of the work will be complete in the first two weeks of February, and plans are being made to celebrate the grand opening ­ including the first ceremonial ride in the new elevator. F o r in f o r matio n o n buying a brick, engraved with you're your name your name, or in memoriam, call the Town Hall at 519-853-5302 or email info@atontownhall.com Hair Salon & SILVERCREEK SPA Monica, Yvette & Staff Welcome Sandy Boyle as she brings 27 years hairdressing experience. Sandy invites existing and new clients to receive $5 OFF between Dec. 20th & Dec. 31st Open Christmas & New Year's Eve Call 519-853-0811 to book your Christmas & New Year's appointments Acton Mews Plaza, 56D Mill St. East, Acton