Kitimat council is taking the next step in a long-running effort to preserve the community’s historic CN station building.
During its March 16 meeting, council voted to support a request from the Kitimat Heritage Group to seek permission from CN Rail to conduct a structural assessment of the building, a move seen as a key first step in determining whether it can be saved.
In a letter included in the meeting agenda, Kitimat Heritage Group chair Louise Avery said the building continues to deteriorate due to access restrictions from CN Rail.
“The CN Station has heritage designation under three levels of government. Unfortunately, without CN Rail approval for access, the Station continues to degrade.”
She added that no restoration work can take place under current conditions.
“No work will occur on the premises as it is on the rail right of way and liability is too much of a risk. CN has not changed its position in the last five years.”
The group said an assessment is needed before any further decisions can be made, including whether parts of the building can be salvaged and rebuilt nearby.
“To proceed, an asbestos and structural integrity assessment would need to be conducted. The building cannot be moved in its entirety as the metal framing is sunk into the concrete slab.”
Avery told council the group would like to explore dismantling and rebuilding the station on adjacent district land if possible.
“If most of the building can be salvaged, then the Kitimat Heritage Group would like to explore dismantling the building and rebuilding it on the District lot directly adjacent to the CN property. The asbestos materials would be swapped out for matching heritage equivalent materials.”
That request was echoed during the delegation, though council ultimately removed the portion of the motion related to using the adjacent lot, opting instead to gather more information first.
Speaking at the meeting, Avery also provided historical context on the building.
“In the 1970s, we saw the last use of this station as a telegraph location. And decades of interest in the station’s reuse and upgrade followed.”
She reiterated that CN Rail has not allowed any restoration work due to liability concerns.
“CN would not allow any renovation activity in the building, citing liability issues with the building existing on the rail right of way. In five years, CN has not budged on its position.”
Council heard that an external consultant would be required to assess the building’s condition.
“Staff would need to hire a consultant to do this type of assessment. It’s probably range between $15,000 on the low end probably as high as $30,000.”
Councillor Michelle Martins said she has recently heard more openness from CN representatives, particularly if the building is moved.
“I got to talk to one of the representatives… and the sell in particular seemed very agreeable to do all sorts of things. As long as structure was moved not on where it sits.”
In the end, council agreed to move forward with contacting CN Rail to request permission for an assessment, marking what could be the first concrete step toward preserving one of Kitimat’s oldest remaining structures.
