Roundhouse reality tells a bigger tale

I would like to see the old Kentville DAR roundhouse preserved, restored and turned into a heritage, cultural and commercial centre.

It would be a fitting tribute to the entity that built the town - and, in fact, allowed the Valley apple industry to become an international exporter of note. The Dominion Atlantic Railway also sparked a large tourism industry during the late 19th century, and was responsible in a big way for preserving Acadian culture.

Yes, a restored and revived roundhouse would be just the thing to address railway heritage and all that it had contributed.

Instead - caught up in reality, as most of us are - Kentville town council has tendered for the abandoned industrial structure's demolition.

I'm afraid I can't disagree with them.

Let's not forget Kentville has just come out of a period that saw many of its storefronts papered over. The downtown has reinvented itself with a mix of retail, restaurant, administrative and professional outlets.

And, no, the town isn't afraid to take a stand. It sold its electric utility, and kept its municipal police force. It also provides fire and recreational services well beyond its boundaries.

There were past opportunities lost - the Warden railway collection, the caboose and snowplow artifacts, and the DAR station. The last, however, from what I saw, would have fallen down if it hadn't been taken down. The loss was the material inside, some of which was rescued by the late railway historian Leon Barron.

Like any abandoned structure, the roundhouse couldn't help but be a potential liability case - an expensive one in paid out damages and increased premiums.

A quick glance shows there is no money around to save and develop the roundhouse. It would be wonderful if there was - along with ever valuable time - the local money available, provincial funds ready at hand and federal assistance.

If there is any doubt of how important we are as a province - let alone a community - in the federal scheme of things, just look at the Bill Casey MP situation. Whatever is said of the Atlantic Accord and the new equalization schedule, I think it's a fair deal. Mind you, it would be better for us to have it both ways - the view of Premier Rodney MacDonald.

But the Casey situation also shows the government doesn't give a rat's ass about how we feel about it or anything else. Rest assured, whatever votes the Tories may have lost here in Nova Scotia over the accord and Casey affairs, they will gain in multiples in Central Canada and the west. We're not as well thought of out there as we generally think of ourselves.

We may be the birthplace of the country, and our history - including the industrial aspect of it - is integral with that of the rest of the federation and the continent. In the mind of the current government, it appears to be a case of “so what? What have you done lately?”

Lest some naif suggest we go out and vote Liberal as a means to alter the situation, don't bother. They are - at least - as oblivious to us.

It goes for our little roundhouse, too.