Community group wants to rebuild iconic red barn in Cole Harbour

HALIFAX – A small piece of metal is all remains of a cultural landmark known as The Red Barn, which stood in Cole Harbour for decades before it was set on fire and burnt to the ground in March 2011.

People who live in the area say the barn was a community space and is sadly missed.

“I was down here the night that it burnt, came down to watch the fire. It was really discouraging to see it go,” said Jim Walker, who uses the nearby trail system every day.

The barn was part of Cole Harbour Heritage Park. The trail association that cares for the site said a promised was made by the previous and current governments to rebuild the barn.

“It’s a lot like having the town clock burn down and not getting it rebuilt,” said Holly Woodill of Cole Harbour Parks and Trails Association. “It’s a community icon, and it was a beautiful, beloved, big red barn in the middle of the municipality.”

The barn was insured, but the bulk of the money was spent demolishing it and cleaning up the site. A tender was issued last year to build a new barn. Two estimates were submitted, each pegging the cost between $700,000 and $800,000. The tender was cancelled a few weeks ago.

“I think it would be nice to see it rebuilt. It was a landmark,” said Walker. “If they build it to its original state I think it would be nice.”

Community groups are now looking to rebuild the barn with cheaper materials in accordance with heritage guidelines.

“Even if it isn’t the same materials, it has to be the same look, it has to be the same approximate size and it has to be at that location,” said Woodill.

She said she hopes the tender will be re-issued and a new barn will stand on the site again by the end of the summer.

“The community really needs its icon back, its namesake.”