Photo Credit: Dave Lemkay
The campaign to freshen up Renfrew’s historic caboose has come into the station well ahead of schedule.
Town Treasurer Charlene Jackson gave councillors a heads-up at their meeting on Tuesday, December 10th, that the Friends of the Renfrew CP Caboose Group has made good on their promise to pay the town back for costs to renovate the landmark attraction sitting outside the Visitor Information Centre.
The two sides entered into a memorandum of understanding back in August 2022, which saw the town agree to lend the Caboose Group $33,000 to properly remove the lead-based paint that was on the train car before repainting and redecorating it, with the amount to be paid back within 36 months.
Town officials would later provide an additional $6,312 to cover costs not anticipated when the contract was first agreed to, such as new decals.
Councillor Andrew Dick, who served as the town’s liaison with the group, says their commitment and willingness to see the project through is a win-win for everyone involved.
The final touches on the project were added recently, with the Friends of the Caboose installing lights around the train car so it can be shown off at night.
(written by Kasey Egan)
