Oxford Mills Former Town Hall
The former Oxford Mills Township Hall, located at 100 Maplewood Avenue, is a National Historic Site of Canada and also designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Built in 1875 as the Oxford Mills Township Hall, the building later became a branch of the North Grenville Public Library. Since 1998, the 2-storey building has mainly been used as a storage facility. Giaimo was engaged by the Municipality of North Grenville to explore potential future uses of the former Oxford Mills Township Hall building as a public facility through community engagement. The Municipality of North Grenville is an urban/rural community located adjacent to the southern border of Ottawa, and one of the fastest growing municipalities in Eastern Ontario.
Client
Municipality of North Grenville
Location
North Grenville, Ontario
Start Date
2024
Completion Date
2025
Area
3,000 sf
Status
Complete
Type
Adaptive Reuse
Feasibility Study
Community Hub
Public Sector
Team
Giaimo – Prime, Lead Architect, Heritage
Final Report
Image Credits
Giaimo
Engagement
The feasibility study involved site assessments, policy reviews, and consultations with local community groups and advisory committees. Community needs expressed in these engagements emphasized the importance of a financially viable solution that ensures affordability, accessibility, and adaptability for community use. Key themes that emerged included creating a flexible, multi-purpose venue, establishing a Maplewood “Campus” that integrates the Town Hall, Maplewood Hall, and Maplewood Park, and leveraging the heritage value of the site to create a prominent community destination. Building off of this, Giaimo developed 3 high-level adaptive reuse concepts to present to the public through an in-person open house and online survey. Based on community feedback, a report was prepared to include recommendations for adaptive reuse, along with costing and fundraising/grant recommendations.
Process
The report recommends a single option, following the exploration of 4 phased design options which addressed different budgets, programs, size and capacity. The selected option maintains architectural flexibility, enabling various uses of the building’s two floors and complementing the adjacent park area. This option includes a kitchen to serve the second floor flexible event space, a second floor accessible washroom, and washrooms accessible from the exterior of the building to support the park. The design also integrates features such as accessible entrances, a universal washroom, and elevator. The recommended option includes costing, as well as a section on funding opportunities and strategies.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a core consideration, with an emphasis on retaining the building’s existing materials and improving energy efficiency through updated wall assemblies and potential electrical-based heating systems. Each design prioritizes accessibility by incorporating ramps, an elevator, and universal washrooms, ensuring inclusivity across a spectrum of community needs.
