A brand-new sugar shack will be built at Muskoka Heritage Place to the tune of $76,000.
At the Sept. 23 Huntsville council meeting, Jacqueline Surette, manager of recreation, culture, and heritage, presented a report showing the Sugar Shack building was deteriorating quicker than expected.
“The scope of work for the Sugar Shack was developed in 2022 by an engineer, and it involved the reuse of a lot of the existing material along with the building envelope,” says Surette.
According to the report, due to its non-anticipated and rapid deterioration, the project engineer is now recommending taking down the building and rebuilding it at an additional cost estimated at $30,000.
“Efforts will be made to salvage as much material as possible and rebuild the structure closer to the village. This will make construction easier in addition to improving public access and visibility to the building,” reads the report.
The report also states in its current location, the building is difficult to monitor and has been a target of vandalism over the years.
“It’s been out of commission for a little while now, so we’re really excited to get it restored as it is an important part of our history and our present economy,” says Surette.
The report states its preservation is in line with the museum’s mandate to “collect, care for, interpret and preserve a viable collection of history particular to Muskoka.”
Council approved the increase, bringing the project total to $76,000, with the budget variance being funded from the MHP’s Hartley Bequest Reserve.
