A crucial Clarington Council meeting today will decide the fate of the historic World War II Camp 30 Cafeteria building. There are five proposed alternatives ranging in costs from $1.4 million to $8.8 million.
Jury Lands Foundation (JLF), a not-for-profit that oversees the lands, has urged the public to attend – virtually or physically – the meeting at the municipal headquarter in Bowmanville today.
“Members of the public are strongly encouraged to attend the Clarington Council meeting on October 20, starting at 5 pm, and to sign the ongoing petition at change.org/savecamp30,” JLF has stated. The petition had garnered close to 3,800 votes as of 7:30 pm Sunday.
While noting that the council decision is pivotal, JLF said the Cafeteria Building – owned by the Municipality of Clarington – is considered “the heart of the only WWII battle ever fought on Canadian soil”.
Kaitlin Donation
Kaitlin Corporation, which owns the other five heritage buildings plus the land that makes up the former WWII prisoner-of-war camp, has offered to donate the ownership to Clarington. This proposal, if accepted, would bring the entire site—including all six remaining heritage buildings, trails, and open-space—under public ownership (see below).
Kaitlin has also proposed a financial contribution equal to the estimated demolition costs. This contribution would be directed toward either restoration efforts (if preservation is chosen) or commemoration efforts (if demolition proceeds).
The Five Options
Clarington had earlier announced five options for the future of the Camp 30 Cafeteria Building following the release of a detailed Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) presented to council on June 16.
The five proposed alternatives – ranging in costs from $1.4 million to $8.8 million – are:
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Partial retention with new building inside (Active Use)
This option would retain and stabilize the building’s exterior masonry walls and construct a new structure inside. The interior would include replacement windows and could serve as a park washroom, community meeting area, concession facility, or commemorative space.
Estimated cost: $7.7 million -
Partial retention with no new structure (Passive Use)
This alternative would stabilize the exterior walls and maintain the structure as a commemorative “ruin”. The interior could function as a pavilion, picnic area, community garden, or similar passive-use space.
Estimated cost: $2.5 million -
Building footprint delineation
This approach would use low “knee walls” or grade-level materials to outline the building’s original footprint, preserving a portion of the existing masonry with a concrete cap. Interpretive features and plantings could be included within the footprint.
Estimated cost: $1.57 million -
Complete demolition
The building would be removed entirely with no physical features remaining. Mitigation measures would include documentation and salvage planning to commemorate the site’s cultural heritage.
Estimated cost: $1.44 million -
Complete demolition with new sympathetic building
This option would involve demolishing the current building and constructing a new facility in its place that reflects the Prairie architectural style of the original. The new structure would include horizontal lines, flat or low-pitched roofing, and compatible cladding materials.
Estimated cost: $8.8 million