O’Brien Road’s Caboose will not be cut loose.
The landmark train car’s fate was decided at Renfrew Town Council’s June 28th meeting, as the Save the Caboose Group’s plan to repaint the VIA Rail car along Highway 60 will go ahead.
Councilor Mike Coulas expressed concern over the agreement to lend the group $30,000 to get the project underway, and whether the town will have to get more involved than the plan suggests.
Councilor Sandi Heins, on behalf of the Save the Caboose Group, reassured Coulas and other concerned councilors that removing the paint is just the opening move and that they won’t give up on the project halfway.
Councilor Tom Sidney does not see the harm in giving the plan a shot, noting a memorandum of understanding to be signed by both parties is a good first step to holding the Save the Caboose Group accountable for the completion of the project as well as the repayment of the $30,000 loan.
The Save the Caboose Group has previously told council that they expect continued support from the community, and that fundraising the money to repay the town will not be that difficult.
(written by Kasey Egan)
