Old Hampton courthouse gets $267K from ACOA for upgrades
Historic landmark building will be used for municipal offices once renovated, Mayor Ken Chorley says
The federal government is investing $267,045 to help upgrade the former courthouse in Hampton so it can be used for municipal offices.
Mayor Ken Chorley says the total project will cost about $775,000, but he is grateful for the federal contribution, made available through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure program.
It "will allow us to renovate this iconic building to include the Hampton municipal offices as well as provide for our commitments to the Kings County Historical Society and the Hampton John Peters Humphrey Foundation," Chorley said in a statement.
"There can be no better way to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary of confederation but with the repurposing of a 150-year-old government building back to a prominent government structure that unites and connects our residents," he said.
Upgrades will include a new roof, installation of a heat pump system for heating and ventilation, new wiring and light, insulation in the walls and roof and improved accessibility.
The Town of Hampton still needs to secure the rest of the funding required, but the mayor expects renovations to begin in the fall and be complete by the end of 2016.
The town bought the historic landmark building for $1 last summer.
It has been vacant since June 2013, when all court services were moved into the new Law Courts building in Saint John.
The Kings County Court House was constructed in 1872.