May cost $1.5 million to restore Old Vic

The estimated cost of a complete renovation of Cobourg's Victoria Hall may run to $1.5 million, a meeting of interested citizens was told Tuesday night at the founding meeting for the "Society for the Restoration of Victoria Hall".

Called by the town council and committee chairman Coun. Mac Lees, an interim committee of the society has also had Cobourg Art Gallery director John Taylor giving his assistance.

A nationwide campaign for funds is planned. Town council will carry the basic operating expanses of the Society for one year.

All experts who have seen Victoria Hall agree that it is one of the finest 19th century buildings in Canada, a "craftsmen's masterpiece", with an architectural dignity and grandeur...without peer," they say.

The society will act on behalf of the town to raise funds and to recommend restoration steps.

Kivas Tully was the architect for the building begun in 1856.

Sir Allan MacNab, prime minister of Canada West (and the owner of Dundurn Castle in Hamilton), laid the cornerstone December 31, 1856. It took four years to build. On September 7, 1860, it was officially opened by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, and local citizens danced till dawn in the ballroom.