Hammy’s Spirits owner Jim Hamilton spoke during public forum on Feb. 11, addressing council about the status of the sale of the former Kinsmen Centre.
Town council voted during its regular meeting Jan. 14 to waive the town’s option to repurchase the building after the town received final payment and a demand letter of credit in an amount equivalent to the cost of completing the exterior stucco work of the building.
READ MORE: Town trusts purchaser to complete stucco work on the former Kinsmen Centre
A demand letter is an official letter from a bank on behalf of the purchaser, that in the event of non-completion of agreed upon work, allows the town to demand and receive payment for the cost of completing the work itself.
Hamilton said he met with the Wildrose assessor, and although he by law doesn’t have to pay taxes on the building until it is sold to him, he elected to begin paying taxes on the building as of Jan. 1, 2020.
He says although he felt that was “morally correct,” he asked council to direct administration to ensure the sale is completed.
“If the city lawyer cannot do the work … that they find a lawyer that can get the sale done,” said Hamilton.
“I have no idea why it isn’t done,” he said, adding he gave a cheque to CAO Albert Flootman for the stucco work on Jan. 15.
“That should have been all that was required.”
Hamilton says he has also left money in trust for the full amount with the lawyers since December.
“I’d just like to see this project come to a conclusion.”
Coun. Teri Underhill asked Hamilton if the the inability to have the property in his name is preventing him from being able to subdivide into a condominium plan, which he then confirmed.
Downtown “eyesore”
Ponoka resident Ryan Wallace appeared before council during public forum on Feb. 11 to ask that something be done about the “eyesore” in downtown Ponoka, namely the old Ponoka Meat Market building.
“I’m sure we’ve got something on the agenda to spruce that up, jack up the east end,” said Wallace, adding he thought a no-cost pilot project might be able to be formed.
“Heritage buildings should be cared for.”
Mayor Rick Bonnett responded that although he didn’t know what funds may be available for such a project, the downtown committee could look at that building this year.