Uxbridge Music Hall needs more repairs

Roger Varley

In a report to council on Monday, director of community services Amanda Ferraro listed a series of repairs needing to be undertaken at the Music Hall. However, although some minor work has been done, Ferraro recommended that a number of the repairs be referred to the 2025 budget discussions.

Photos of current conditions at the Uxbridge Music Hall, as reported by AECOM, from the report submitted to council.

The report said a visual inspection of the building by AECOM in February concluded that "the existing building appears to be in generally fair structural condition, with some minor non-structural deficiencies." These deficiencies include "large gaps between the roof planks." The report said the waterproof covering above the gaps is unsupported, which leads to water infiltration. It also said that, although the Music Hall roof repair was in the 2024 capital budget, it will need to be revisited in the 2025 budget to apply a layer of plywood over the existing wooden planks to cover the gaps.

Noting that the Music Hall has two rooflines - one covering the main structure and a lower roof covering the stage area - the report said notched rafters in the lower roof "lack adequate strength" and should be reinforced by adding another 2x6 piece of lumber at each existing rafter. Again, the report said this should be referred to the 2025 budget.

Continuing with the roof, Ferraro's report said the feasibility of raising the lower roof to match the higher roof has been considered but that would require "significant change to the structural system and . . . be technically difficult and very costly." It recommended that modification not be pursued.

Ferraro also recommended that the two chimneys atop the Music Hall be removed. She noted that neither is functional and should come down because of water leakage. She said an application has been made for a Heritage permit to remove them, since the Music Hall is a designated heritage building. Replacement of brickwork at the base of the north wall of the building should be done "as soon as possible to prevent further deterioration," she said, but added "some work will be done in 2024 and the rest will be re-budgeted for 2025."

The report listed a series of other minor problems such as cracks in the wall of the electrical room, a slight tilting of the stairs in the northeast corner of the building and the need to repair drywall in the basement to prevent mould and moisture. Some minor work has been completed and other problems will be monitored.

Split and cracked roof planks as reported by AECOM, from the report submitted to council.

In a separate report, AECOM said "the timber main trusses, roof beams between the trusses, and rafters were found to be in fair to good condition, with no significant cracks or chippings observed." It noted that there are water stains at the underside of many roof planks and that "some of the roof planks displayed splitting and cracking (and) large gaps between roof planks exist at many locations."