Bluewater explores sale of Hensall Heritage Hall

Hensall Heritage Hall could soon be under new ownership if Bluewater decides to proceed with the historic building’s sale. Since its construction in 1914, the hall has served as a council chamber, a library, a performance venue and more.

By Dan Rolph

The fate of Hensall Heritage Hall remains uncertain as Bluewater explores selling the property that once housed the village’s council chambers.

The municipality had previously been searching for a long-term tenant for the property’s upper hall that municipal staff suggested could be used for housing projects, a creative workspace, offices or community programming.

However, that search ultimately came up short, with the request for expressions of interest failing to attract any submissions.

Without bidders to lease the property, councillors passed a motion during the March 16 council meeting asking for a report outlining what the sale of the property would entail.

Such a sale would need to consider the Huron County Library branch that continues to operate in the building’s lower level, as well as the public works equipment depot that would need to be relocated.

The sale of the property is one of six options that were presented to council at the meeting. Other options included continuing the search for long-term leasers, offering bookable space to the community in the upper hall, using the hall as a meeting space for Bluewater’s fire department and operating the space as a small theatre.

Coun. Scott Harris said there are challenges in cementing a solution for the upper hall that is in need of renovations, particularly when it comes to accessibility.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s really hard to come up with a solution for the upper portion of the heritage hall,” he said. “It’s bleeding right now.”

Though the municipality failed to find an interested bidder to lease the hall, United Housing, a non-profit housing organization affiliated with United Way Perth-Huron, did express interest in purchasing the property to use it for the creation affordable housing.

According to a report written by Bluewater staff, the library branch in the lower part of the building may be able to continue operating if United Housing decides to push ahead with purchasing the property.

Hensall Heritage Hall has a long history in the community since its construction in 1914. After decades of use as a venue, the upper hall was closed in 1975 as it needed major renovations.

Much of the community’s use of the building shifting after the creation of Bluewater in 2001. The Hensall Heritage Hall Society was established in 2016 to take on the operations of the upper hall through a 10-year lease, leading to its restoration and eventual reopening in 2017.

The society continued to host community events and live concerts in the upper hall until its dissolution in 2022 when it was facing financial pressures due to COVID-19 restrictions.

During the March 16 meeting, Bluewater Mayor Paul Klopp emphasized that the municipality hadn’t come to a final decision about the property’s future yet.

“It’s about exploring this option,” he said.

A report outlining a potential sale is expected to come before council at a future meeting.