Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue mayor Paola Hawa is rallying to save the city’s water hose tower after city council voted four to three on Sept. 12 to demolish the landmark, instead of repair it.
Officials said the tower is crumbling and won’t withstand another winter.
READ MORE: Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue hose tower faces demolition
Hawa started a crowdfunding campaign using a bank account and a GoFundMe campaign, urging people to help foot the nearly $40,000 repair bill.
The 80-year-old building used to house both city hall and the fire station.
Its siren would ring to warn people of a fire and to enforce the city curfew for children under 12.
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Hawa argued the tower is part of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue’s heritage and adds to its charm.
Both residents and tourists had mixed feelings about the mayor’s efforts to keep the tower.
However, most people Global News spoke to agreed the tower should be kept.
The opposition, who voted four to three for the demolition, argued the tower is not worth taxpayers’ time and money, which could be spent on other priorities.
READ MORE: Paint or demolish? Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue ponders iconic water tower
So far, the campaign has raised about $5,000.
Hawa needs to raise the rest of the funds before October, otherwise, the tower will have to come down.
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