Closing of Basinview Centre a big blow to Annapolis Valley community
People who live in and near Cornwallis in the Annapolis Valley are dealing with what they call a significant blow.
Many say the facility is the heart of the community and was a convenient stop for those needing everyday items.
"Where we get our food, where we meet our friends, where we might come for a coffee, get a piece of pizza, get a haircut," said Charlene Walker.
The building also housed the Fundy YMCA which operated a pool and fitness centre.
"A social connection, it's a place of health and well-being, it's a place, it's a place where families can come together and spend quality time," said Aimee Daigle, the manager of the Fundy YMCA.
But, a little more than a month ago, tenants of the Basinview Centre in Cornwallis were given 30-day notices to vacate the building.
"I really worry this could be a death blow to the community," said Nadine Millet.
Millet recently moved back to the community, the facilities within the Basinview Centre were a big attraction.
"These other businesses started building around it and we had the mailboxes inside, people are moving and retiring, families were moving in," said Millet.
Zane Lynch has lived in the community most of his life. He says public officials closed the facility for safety reasons.
"It is an insurance issue," Lynch said. "There were 37 insurance agencies contacted by the county to try to secure insurance. Because they were structural report came back that were in their words 'damning.'"
That's left the future of heart of the community on life support.
Residents have been writing the warden and councillors in an attempt to convince them to find a way to keep the amenities in the community that were at one time under one roof here at the Basinview Centre.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.