Reflections on the Heritage Church Open House.
For anyone that didn’t get the chance to visit Costin Hall last Thursday to view the District's 5 options for the “Community Building B” (Heritage Church) their proposals are attached.
It was great to see so many passionate neighbors looking toward our community's future.
After reviewing the material (https://www.lantzville.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID1184atID7289.pdf), talking with Staff, it’s clear that looking at the old church in total isolation is a mistake. Our community spaces, the Church, Costin Hall, and Huddlestone Park, need a comprehensive, long-term master plan, not a band-aid fix.
That is why the Lantzville Residents Society believes Option 4 (Rebuild while preserving heritage elements) is the best proposal for our Lantzville.
Here is why:
It creates a real vision: Instead of tearing down our history or doing the bare minimum, it plans for a vibrant downtown center.
It tackles multiple issues at once: It moves beyond just fixing an old building to address the aging infrastructure of Costin Hall and our need for functional community space.
It adds usable spaces: It opens up possibilities for much-needed townhall office space, meeting areas, and facilities residents will actually use.
It preserves our unique identity: It respects Lantzville's history while building a modern, flexible asset for community use.
“How do we pay for this?”
A primary question on everyone's mind is the financial cost of a project of this scale. The open house materials make it clear that rebuilding has significant capital costs, presenting clear budget challenges that Lantzville will need to navigate and overcome.
However, looking at this as a long-term plan allows Lantzville to establish a cohesive framework for our downtown core. Rather than viewing these choices in isolation, it gives us an opportunity to align on amenities, infrastructure, and a direction we can all be proud of.
