A driver who lost control on Blenheim Road and slammed his vehicle into a wrought iron and brick heritage fence last fall could be dealing with sticker shock when his insurance company sees the cost of repairs.
Next week, the city's heritage advisory committee will be asked to approve a plan to repair to the fence at 16 Blenheim Road, which could cost between $8,000 and $42,000 depending on which quote the homeowner goes with to complete the work to heritage specifications.
The designated 1879 heritage property is connected to Robert McCulloch and Hugh McCulloch, influential figures in Galt’s history who were connected to the manufacturing legacy of Goldie and McCulloch Co. Ltd.
The fence was damaged in October when a vehicle struck it and severely damaged two of the brick support pillars.
City heritage planning staff say two pillars were visibly damaged with one section nearly destroyed. Multiple sections of the fence were also damaged, with one section completely removed and bent.
"Other sections of the fence and other pillars may have 168 sustained minor impacts that will be evaluated by the heritage contractor retained for the repair and restoration."
The owners of the property weren't home at the time it happened.
A heritage permit application was submitted to the City of Cambridge on Nov. 7, which wasn't completed until Dec. 13, when information about the scope of the damage and repair was submitted.
Three reputable restoration firms were quoted for the repairs.
Each quotation proposes, at minimum, a rebuild of one pillar, repair one pillar, and repair and reinstallation of the section of fencing that has been removed.
"This work constitutes necessary repair of a damaged resource with cultural heritage value," write planning staff.
Heritage planning staff say they support the heritage permit application to alter the historic fence and pillars, given that the repair and restoration is being undertaken using appropriate methods and materials.
Coincidentally, film crews were at the house in the weeks before the accident to shoot a scene from the upcoming season of Ruby and the Well for the Family Channel.
