Last gasp for Petro Canada station

Since its closure, Petro Canada has conducted environmental site assessments, and removed oil tanks and other material.

The company has concluded the soil is contaminated but with the building still there, they cannot determine to what extent.

During a presentation to Region of Queens council on May 8, Petro Canada Senior Project Manager for Engineering and Construction, Russell Bilodeau said once they establish what is under the building foot print and do further assessments, the property could be used for something else.

Deputy Mayor Doug Adams said when this issue came up last year, a special council meeting was held and that a special interest group (Concerned Citizens) was interested in preserving the building.

Region of Queens municipal council agreed July 5, 2006 to serve a 120-day “Notice of Recommendation” upon the Petro Canada owners to designate the site as a municipal heritage property.

This notice was meant to give the group time to negotiate with Petro Canada.

The Region of Queens Municipality has not heard back from them, Deputy Mayor Adams said, adding, “The region has no interest in buying the building.”

At the time, Sherman Hines, who has restored many heritage buildings was also interested in utilizing the building as a car museum or taking the bricks for use on the Rossignol Cultural Centre property.

The company rejected his suggestions.

Bilodeau advised council the company would get a demolition permit within the next few months.

After that step is taken, Petro Canada can develop a remedial action plan, he added.

Deputy Mayor Adams said right now it is up to members of the citizen’s group to get together and talk to Petro Canada about preserving the building, if they are still interested.

The stonework, pillared buildings were constructed in the late 1920s and early 1930s as Superline service and gas stations. Fina and Petro Canada owned the service centres in subsequent years.

There are only three or four buildings left. Two that were saved by the private sector are located in Bridgewater and Mahone Bay.