It amazes me when I read news articles about a local group in Murray River attempting to save their abandoned train station and most of the community crying out to tear it down!
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Despite having had many of their old main street buildings demolished in recent years they still want to get rid of their 1904 station. Ownership of the station belongs to the community and council seems willing to go along with the restoration, however, many vocal residents don't want a nickle spent on its restoration - they want it demolished.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/cancelled-artifactory-leaves-hole-in-streetscape-1.717748
On a more positive note, not all is lost in Murray River - many, many Islanders and tourists flock to the Olde General Store to shop and experience their unique setting, beautifully maintained country store https://www.facebook.com/peistore
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When a local sawmill was destroyed by a vandal's fire the community rallied to raise funds and hold an old fashioned barn-raising style event to build a new mill for them.
Murray River is also a golf destination in Eagle's View Golf Course for Islanders and tourist to enjoy. www.eaglesviewgolf.com
In conclusion, and trying to make some sense of this whole thing, this story is as much about community politics as about saving an old building. When you talk to people about this project, it's more than, "we don't want to spend out money on restoring the old train station" - it's about neighbours getting along with neighbours, about jealousy, preceptions and achievements.
In this Guardian Newspaper video clip of this week's public meeting in Murray River, I'm struck by all the seniors in the crowd - most of whom are against the restoration project. As I get older (now 52) I sometimes forget that these seniors aren't the seniors of my grandparents era. It makes me wonder if this generation of seniors / baby-boomers will respect and cherish our Island's built heritage as earlier generations. Are we seeing a generational change where it's, "out with old and in with the new?"
I'm surprised to see the backlash from this small rural community where the only major / visible community building is the the service station/convenience store, picturesquely located by the waters edge near the bridge. The community last many of its old buildings in preparation for the Provincial Artefactory, however, when provincial politics changed, the project was cancelled leaving big gaps in the community's streetscape.http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/cancelled-artifactory-leaves-hole-in-streetscape-1.717748
On a more positive note, not all is lost in Murray River - many, many Islanders and tourists flock to the Olde General Store to shop and experience their unique setting, beautifully maintained country store https://www.facebook.com/peistore
Murray River is also a golf destination in Eagle's View Golf Course for Islanders and tourist to enjoy. www.eaglesviewgolf.com
In conclusion, and trying to make some sense of this whole thing, this story is as much about community politics as about saving an old building. When you talk to people about this project, it's more than, "we don't want to spend out money on restoring the old train station" - it's about neighbours getting along with neighbours, about jealousy, preceptions and achievements.