A historic Second World War site in Bowmanville, Ont., is now safe from demolition, but the cost and responsibility of restoring it is now on the shoulders of the non-profit organization that’s fought to save it for months. 

The Jury Lands Foundation (JLF), a volunteer group that has sought to preserve the former Camp 30 site, was given unanimous support by municipal councillors this week to restore a cafeteria building within the camp that was at risk of being demolished.

Marilyn Morawetz, board chair for the JLF, presented the group’s case to councillors on Monday, making it responsible for fundraising to complete the project. 

In an interview with CBC News, Morawetz described having “positive” discussions with councillors in recent weeks, but it still came as quite a shock to her to be given unanimous approval.

“That meant a lot to us, and we plan not to disappoint,” Morawetz said. 

Case made to preserve building

The site served as a reform school for boys when it first opened in the 1920s. During the Second World War, it was converted to house German prisoners of war. 

It closed in 2008 and has been left to deteriorate over time. Since 2022, the cafeteria has been the only municipally owned heritage building on the land, with councillors troubled over how to finance its restoration.

Last fall, the JLF was granted time to assess the feasibility of restoring the building with the help of a builder, Manorville Homes, which specializes in restoration projects.

In their delegation, the JLF and Manorville Homes disputed a previously quoted cost of $4.5 million that councillors received to stabilize the building, suggesting it could be done for half the price. 

This week, Morawetz told councillors it would cost $2.6 million to complete phase one of the restoration, of which the JLF has already raised $1 million through a federal grant. 

“It is enough money for us to start the process,” Morawetz added. “It gives us time to start working on the dollar figures for other various steps.”

‘It looks a lot worse than it is’

JJ Maclellan, a senior project manager for Manorville Homes, said the state of the building is “pretty typical” compared to other restoration projects it has completed, such as the Belmont House in nearby Newcastle, Ont., a 200-year-old building that the company finished restoring last summer.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it, but it looks a lot worse than it is,” Maclellan told CBC News. 

Maclellan said Manorville Homes will remove hazardous material inside, restructure the roof and stabilize the shell of the building in the first phase of restoration. 

After the remaining $1.6 million can be raised, he said it will take about a year to complete phase one. 

Clarington councillors have given the JLF until the end of this year to raise that money.

Municipal staff will also work alongside Manorville Homes to oversee the project.