Some municipally-owned clubhouses in Cornwall are being eyed for improvements or outright demolition.
A special council meeting this week that gave councillors an update on the state of infrastructure in the city also listed some of the buildings the corporation owns which aren't always in the spotlight.
Unlike the new Benson Centre, aquatic centre and civic complex which are nearly always trumpeted by the city, the Alexander Park wartime barracks, public works sewer shop and the transit garage are likewise never mentioned.
It was in that vein that new city municipal works division manager Bill de Wit listed a few of the municipal buildings the corporation operates - and the cost of their replacement.
While there is no specific movement afoot to teard down some of the aged facilities, it's clear many are on their way out or need some repair work.
"(They're) in very poor shape structurally," de Wit said about a couple of park clubhouses during Monday's meeting with councillors. "I'm not saying we have to replace them - but we have to do something."
The Alexander Park wartime barracks in particular is likely on borrowed time. It was built in 1945 and would cost the city $165,000 to replace - money city hall doesn't exactly have lying around.
Christine Lefebvre, the city's parks and recreation manager, said the building is essentially used for storage and would not be high on a list to replace.
"We would not recommend that," she said.
But, Lefebvre said other city clubhouses, like those at King George Park and Joe St. Denis field, are actively used by sports teams and associations.
"We still have to sit down and look at all the buildings," she said.
Many of the buildings have structural deficiencies that will have to be addressed, de Wit said, but he did not get into specifics and council is expected to get that information as we get closer to 2013 budget deliberations.
Coun. Gerry Samson had concerns about public safety, but de Wit suggested there is little to worry about immediately.
"They are safe, but there's still stuff we have to address."
