Work is well underway of rebuilding Beyond the Blue Box after devastating fire two years ago.
The fire destroyed one of the main buildings at the Blue Box location on Covert Street in Cobourg on September 23, 2023.
Currently the tedious process is underway of building a retaining wall beside the property on Covert Street.
After that, the rebuilding will take place of the building which will be slightly smaller than the one that burned said Beyond the Blue Box Vice Chair and Treasurer Robb Howell.
Immediately following the fire the priority was staff support and working out how to move forward.
Temporary stores were located in downtown Cobourg to fill the Christmas rush of shoppers.
The Board explored relocating after the fire, but ultimately decided to stay at the location on Covert Street and look into the rebuilding process.
Howell said securing permits was slow. Because the location was beside Midtown Creek, working with the Ganaraska Conservation Authority took considerable time with their strict protocols which required extensive negotiations.
Once the Board decided to rebuild – it was at considerable financial cost.
The retaining wall required by conservation regulations will cost around $600,000, and that was never included in our insurance coverage. Add to that the soaring costs of materials and labour over the past two years, and we’re now facing a significant funding gap.
“The previous building had an ancestral wall that was insufficiant and starting to degrade and collapse.”
A temporary wall has been installed so work can begin on the retaining wall. But there are still delays – all of which cost money.
Once the retaining wall has been completed, work will be begin on the foundation for the new building, then walls, roof and completion.
“Hopefully the retaining wall will be (done) in the next couple of weeks. With any luck the foundation work will before September and hopefully we can close it by the winter.”
It’s been a long haul, and at times very frustrating, but after the retaining wall is installed, hopefully there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
“All the bureaucratic and the different aspects that we have to consider being here on Covert Street. We have the heritage district, and the GRCA which all have their own permitting and by-law issues that we have to go through stage by stage.”
“It adds all sorts of timing that you can’t appreciate until you go through them.”
The retaining wall had to be uniquely designed by an engineer.
Jane Hawthorne, Executive Director of Beyond the Blue Box was devastated by the fire like many others who work and shop at the store, but looking over the work that is underway, she said, “I’m feeling better than when it was sitting.”
People who work at the store and regular customers are like family and Hawthorne sends a message out to everyone, “we are doing our best.”
Insurance will cover the building costs, but to move forward, the Blue Box needs to raise $950,000 which will cover the retaining wall and the increased construction costs.
For anyone who wishes to donate please go to https://www.beyondthebluebox.com/building-back/
Breaking News – Main Building of Beyond the Blue Box Destroyed by Fire in Cobourg
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
