Thunder Bay’s Heritage Advisory Committee wants to see any of the Hoito and Finlandia Club’s contents protected.
The HAC wants to speak with the Board for the Finlandia Association of Thunder Bay about the future of the property and about the whereabouts of the historical contents once found in the Finlandia Club.
“We are upset to see some of the artifacts removed, we have heard and understand that the weigh scale may have been removed, and we are not happy with that obviously because that’s one of the heritage aspects of the building,” Heritage Advisory Chair Andrew Cotter said.
Derek Parks is the Director of the Finlandia Club and says the weigh scale has not been removed from the building and any artifacts that may have been removed from the building was done by people who own them and were being loaned to the Finlandia Association.
Cotter notes not only is the Finnish Labour Temple and the Hoito a city heritage property, it is also recognized nationally, which means when it comes to the sale of the property, new owners will have to ensure it is maintained to specific standards.
“The Ontario Heritage Act provides heritage designated properties protection against alteration to their heritage features,” said Cotter, “The Finnish Labour Temple is one of Thunder Bay’s gems.”
Designation under the Ontario Heritage Act is the highest form of protection possible for a property.
Cotter says if the property is sold and changes are proposed they’ll be working with the new owners.
“They will have to obviously get a building permit to make any changes and that’s when the Heritage Advisory Committee would have to be consulted on those changes,” Cotter said.
“The designation recognizes its cultural importance as well as its physical heritage,” said Matt Szybalski, City Archivist and Chief Resource Officer of HAC. “It is the CN Tower of Thunder Bay – the first stop when showing visitors the best of the city.”
Wednesday night, the Finlandia Association held an online meeting to discuss the million dollar debt that is owed, with members voting to sell of assets and shut the doors.
