The Gibson Centre

The Gibson Centre is an events centre in Alliston, Ontario, in Canada.

History

In the summer of 2000, a number of community groups in the New Tecumseth area were faced with the difficulty of finding appropriate space, in an area where there wasn't any. The Tottenham Summer Theatre, a professional theatre group, was facing the prospect of folding since, its present location over the Tottenham Library, with a seating capacity of only 85, couldn't provide sustainability or opportunity for growth. The arts related community was unable to grow since it didn't have a home, and much like a hockey team can't flourish without an arena, The New Tecumseth Arts Council needed a facility. The very ACTIVE 54 Plus Seniors Club was also looking for a new home, since the Town of New Tecumseth now required use of the building the club had been leasing.

Local businessmen Leonard and Bing Gibson had bought property and buildings on Tupper Street for their growing transportation operation. The cousins knew when they acquired the location, being used by the Co-op store, that underneath all the paint was an architecturally significant building. It turned out that the building did not lend itself to their use, so the Co-op continued to operate there with future plans of re-locating.

With all these factors, when a group of community leaders were presented a possible use for the building to the Gibsons on August 5, 2000 - a use that would fill a need in the community along with the possible restoration of the building.

Leonard and Bing agreed. Old fashioned handshakes out behind the building sealed the deal. The cost would be $1.00 for the building and one acre of land.

Potential supporters of the building were invited to a meeting on the evening of August 09, 2000. All invited attended and learned of the Gibson’s donation and the proposed purposes for this generous gift. Everyone was most supportive and enthusiastic of the vision and readily agreed to move forward and establish a committee that would pave the way to bring this cultural center to a reality. On August 22, 2000 this initial group, 21 in total, toured the building and the first meeting of the steering committee for then unnamed cultural center was held.

The building was originally the Mercer Manufacturing Company, which manufactured farm implements. It was built in the second empire style, similar to Canada’s parliament buildings. The smaller building to the east was the foundry area and under the current sheet metal exterior is the same complement of architecture. A house to the west was also a part of the original operation. Through the years that building has had many owners and users.

When it was built in 1889, the building was set apart from the village of Alliston, since the original village was along the Boyne River. It was built from local virgin timber and local brick. Off shoot tracks from the old CNR line serviced the building, making it truly a “Honda facility” of the day. Now like sleeping beauty, the building is awakening to new life and, a new image with a reflection of the cherished past.

Since the Gibson’s stipulated that the donation of the building was to be to a non-profit organization, a perspective that the seven-member board was struck and status was gained under the name of the Gibson Cultural Centre Corporation. Charitable designation followed. The steering committee evolved into the advisory committee.

Ownership of the building was passed officially for $1.00, from Bing and Leonard Gibson, to the Gibson Cultural Center corporation at the Canada Day celebrations held in Alliston’s Riverdale Park on July 1, 2001.

By Marilyn Holmstrom

The Restoration

It was imperative to engage in a structural engineer and architect to access the structure. Phil Meads, of Meads Engineering Ted Handy of Ted Handy and Associates responded to the call. They entered the project knowing that payment for services would be delayed until financing was secured. Their faith in the project has borne fruit and they are very much still a part of the team that has been established.

One of the very first tasks was replacing in securing the main roof beam. The third floor needed special attention due to lack of use, years of neglect and being left to the elements. Initial restoration continued from the main roof beam, through the third and second floors and lastly the basement.

The foundation was built with great strong boulders but was just sitting on earth. The based on was lowered to create an extra 18 inches of head clearance. So, in essence, the center is now a functional four story building. The building is very solid with the first floor being triple brick and working to single brick at the top of the building.

On October 4, 2000, the Town of New Tecumseth granted an interest free loan of $50,000.00 to be repayable over three years. The loan launched the restoration project. The town further helped the project when on January 10, 2001 the Gibson Cultural Center Corporation requested an endorsement of support from New Tecumseth council in order to apply for funding under Ontario’s SuperBuild Program. SuperBuild required that the council declare the Gibson Center the highest sports, cultural and tourism infrastructure priority for the town. The council quickly passed a resolution declaring the project its number one sports, cultural and tourism infrastructure priority

In March, 2001 it was learned projects approved by SuperBuild could also be nominated for Federal funding under the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program. Since the New Tecumseth Council had declared the project its number one priority it would then be logical for the town to support this proposed $5.2 million project as a funding partner and enabled the center to apply for this funding. A request was made to the Town for $1 million. On April 9 the Town committed to provide the funding over three years in equal yearly installments. Bing and Leonard Gibson personally pledged to match each town installment with $100,000.00 for a total of $300,000.54 plus center pledged $70,000.00 [which they have since exceeded]. These higher levels of community support lead to a strong Canada-Ontario Infrastructure program application.

The project was awarded $950,000.00 through the provincial SuperBuild Fund and after heavy lobbying by local businesses, organizations, politicians and individuals, the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program awarded a matching amount.

The first installment of the Town funding was received in early August, 2001 and work commenced in earnest the next day. Windows that had been blocked in were opened up. The Co-op’s green and yellow paint colors were removed and a company from Michigan came up with environmentally friendly formula to clean the exterior bricks. When the existing windows were removed some just crumbled. One hundred forty-six individually thermo paned windows, replacing the original windows, were installed.

Volunteers dismantled the commercial area of the old Co-op and completed the arduous task of painstakingly removing the countless number of three-story grain bins on the east side of the building. The same volunteers continue to assist at the building and donate hundreds of hours. The basement was expanded using in the old shovel and wheelbarrow routine – tough, hard work – especially considering the oldest volunteer was 80.

Environmentally friendly products were used to clean the interior brick and timbers and specially designed steel was used to strengthen the building. True labours of love have gone into the building and even the trades people have a sense of ownership in history.

A new steel roof was installed and in August, 2002 the tower area was completed. The cupola was lifted into place along with the old Alliston Town Hall bell and topped off with a flag. In the fall of 2002, the loading dock/storage area of the original southwest extension was torn down and the reclaimed breaks were used as restoration areas and new construction.

You the reinforcing of the timbers in the basement and the grant feature staircases to the second and third floors were completed next. The major part of the restoration of the existing building, was completed this past spring. The next phase of the completion of the heritage building including the elevator, mechanical and electrical, washrooms on each level and finishings. This allowed the entire building to be wheelchair eccessible. This new construction was put in place to bring the existing buildings are occupancy standards.

Many organizations, businesses and individuals have already contributed to the success of the Gibson Center. Finals fundraisers saw generous support from the community. From this moment forward the center will host performing arts productions, events by the 54 plus seniors, displays and programs by the local arts community and offers the opportunity for all of us together as a community.

By Marilyn Holmstrom