A new proposal by Saint Andrews Civic Trust asks the council to give the organization ownership over the historic courthouse in the community.
The Saint Andres Civic Trust’s mandate is to preserve and re-purpose the historic properties in the municipality – having already done so with Niger Reef Tea House, Macklem House and Pendlebury Lighthouse.
In 2017, the Town of Saint Andrews took ownership over the courthouse – which also has a small jail on the property. It is in need of significant repairs, including the removal of lead paint on its exterior and a new roof.
Funding the province provided after handing over the property expires this year.
“In January 2024, SACT began a four-phase approach to gather ideas and present a vision to the council,” said James Geneau, Vice President of SACT.
In August 2024, it delivered a 120-page report for the council to consider. The report was finally made public in February 2025.
Thirteen proposals were submitted by the public – who have been adamant, according to Geneau – from the beginning to have the space re-purposed for public use.
“Not surprisingly, no submission provided a single solution,” he told the council.
In July, about 255 members of the public voted on their top three solutions.
“We found that the overwhelming ideas and the combinations of ideas were about building a multi-use, four-season, community hub,” he said during the meeting.
The courthouse does have an intact courtroom, but Geneau said it is unlikely the province would want to revive it as a modern-day courthouse.
The proposals for the courthouse
Saint Andrews Civic Trust says it would need to make access enhancements, especially for accessibility, within the limits of the building’s historical designation.
The new enhancements could include a second entrance and public washrooms.
It would also add “social enhancements,” which would include upgrading technology, like WiFi, and space within the courthouse.
It is proposing changing the judges chambers into a community board room and the other into a community game room.
SACT also presented to the council that one section could become the official tourism visitor centre and gift shop. It proposed a public display case and potentially historical reenactments inside the courthouse.
Geneau did explain that while they got no indication the province would intend to restore it as a courthouse, the technology upgrades and maintaining the courtroom space could allow for two days a week of court services.
It also proposed adding fencing around the green space to prevent deer from getting in, leaving behind both feces and ticks.
The large green space – a fond place for residents in Saint Andrews to go sledding on – is also seeing improvements – allowing for yoga and tai chi. It might also include an outdoor skating area in the wintertime.
SACT said it should also consider adding solar panels and heat pumps to reduce the cost of operating the building.
Estimated costs
Much of the funding for the work required to the courthouse would come from grants, Geneau explained to the council.
The organization estimates it would cost around $825,000 for the renovations and repurposing per the plan presented to council.
Meanwhile, the commons could cost up to $2.1 million. A social enterprise centre would also add an additional $420,000 to the project.
It estimates the taxpayer’s burden will be around $282,700 with an estimated revenue of about $143,000.
“There is a lot of grants for heritage preservation,” Geneau said. “Those tend to, and I’m not saying they will be, but … there are fewer substantial sites in Canada like Saint Andrews that has this collection of heritage … we do have a lot of leverage in asking for those grants.”
Coun. Marc Blanchard said the presentation hits on so many things that are important to the community.
There was no formal amount set for the yearly operational costs, according to Geneau.
“A central gathering point for our community that I’ve been looking to see, to have, in that area for a number of years,” he said.
Mayor Brad Henderson also thanked the SACT for its extensive work on the report, noting the board is made up entirely of volunteers.
“A courthouse 2.0 would very much benefit the community as a gathering space,” he said during an interview with CHCO-TV.
He said a municipality with an aging infrastructure, the council must take a critical look at whether a private organization should take over from the municipality.
“Lots to be discussed,” he said, indicating it may want to go back to the province one last time.
Henderson said no matter what the council decides in the end, the building must be preserved properly.
“Buildings are repurposed all the time,” he said. “The goal is to save the building and have a useful community space for it.”
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