Exploring uses for former Barton school

The Municipality of Digby hosted an open house at the former Barton Consolidated School on May 22.

The school closed last year and is now sitting empty.

At the open house municipal councilors gathered with the public to determine what the community would like to see happen to the building.

“We wanted to have the opportunity to reach out to the community to see what interest there is in the property,” said Digby Municipal Warden Jimmy MacAlpine.

An estimated 85 people came to the event.

“It’s exactly what we wanted to see, to get the community feedback,” he said.

A community group is rallying to have the property turned into a community center called the St Mary’s Bay Community Center. Members of the public who would like to see a community center here have been gathering for a couple months, planning ideas and discussing the positive impact a community center can bring to the area.

Group members were at the open house explaining what they would like to see the building used for. They have many events planned if they acquire the property, including square dancing, nature walks, gardening, a café and more.

The St Mary’s Bay Community Center will present their business ideas to the municipal council on June 11.

The council will discuss the idea presented and verify if there is any other interest in the property. Anyone is able to submit a business plan to the municipality for the building.

There is no official timeline for future plans for the Barton School at this time.