A heritage group in Lanark, Ont., is hoping to stop the demolition of the Glenayr Kitten Mill, a mid-19th century building that was once the cornerstone of the local economy.A group of Lanark residents and members of the Lanark Heritage Preservation Society stand outside the Glenayr Kitten Mill on Saturday. They say demolishing the mill would be a missed opportunity for the community southwest of Ottawa. A heritage group in Lanark, Ont.
But heritage group members and other residents say destroying it would amount to a missed opportunity to revitalize the once-proud property. The Marckle family turned it into a factory and outlet store for the Kitten clothing label. They imported yarn before dyeing it on site and turning it into knit sweaters and cardigans, Berlin said."Everybody had a Kitten sweater, or a Kitten sweater set," Dunn said. "It was a very profitable, thriving business."The factory and store employed some 200 people at its peak, and several of its former workers still live in the village of Lanark.
It commissioned a report from Ottawa firm Architects DCA that determined the original stone structure, as well as some other components on the site, could be retained. "We've been advised by people in the field that it should be very doable, both physically and financially," Berlin said.Dunn said township council has shown a "complete indifference" to the building, and has cited the mill's status as private property as a reason for taking no steps to protect it.
While some people believe the building should be revitalized, she said, others think it's past the point of no return and isn't worth the time or effort.