By Pepper Parr
May 11th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
A richly deserved recognition – Friends of Freeman Station named Burlington’s BEST for heritage.
It is one of the few occasions when this crowd wore suits.
But there they were on the stage accepting the recognition long deserved for saving the Freeman Station.
In the acceptance speech Ron Danielson said:
“It is my great pleasure to accept the Burlington Best Heritage Award on behalf of the Friends of Freeman Station. This award is a fitting tribute to the many volunteers who have put their hearts, souls and labour into restoring Burlington’s historic 1906 Grand Trunk Railway station, known as Freeman Station.”
They had every reason to be smiling. Councillors Meed Ward and Lancaster pose with five members of the Friends of Freeman Station after the Council meeting that approved the entering into of a Joint Venture that would have the Friends moving the station and taking on the task of renovating the building.
It was the intervention of Councillors Meed Ward and Lancaster who held off the rest of Council and gave the Friends of Freeman the time they needed to find a place to put the station that was in pretty rough shape but salvageable despite the comments made by a city engineer.
When they found a home – the task was to get the building moved and begin the renovation.
It was a labour of love and a process of continually begging.
Their success is one of the best stores this city has to tell about itself. The politicians will swoop in and take the credit – and to their credit they did come up with funds, albeit late in the game.
This is a citizen success story – and Wednesday night at the Performing Arts Centre a bunch of guys who were pretty good with a hammer and a paint brush were recognized for the heroes they are.
Well done Councillor Meed Ward, Lancaster and volunteers!