Media Release
Grand Falls House Sustainability Report
The Town of Grand Falls – Windsor and the Grand Falls House Heritage Committee met recently with a Provincial Government Cabinet Committee to discuss the future of the Grand Falls House.
Chairperson Peggy Bartlett says “The purpose of the meeting was to present the Province with the findings of a consultant report focusing on the sustainability of the Grand Falls House as a tourism and heritage economic generator for the region.”
The Grand Falls House is a 28roomTudor style mansion built in 1909. The house is abundant in mystique given that very few people even had occasion to enter the building. It is a significant heritage structure that embodies a history that needs to be preserved.
The Town of Grand Falls – Windsor began talks with the province in 2013 and proceeded to conduct an engineering assessment study and a hazmat study on the Grand Falls House and the Mill Managers House that is adjacent. These reports were completed in February 2014. At that time, Council began working with the Grand Falls House Heritage Committee. “The Town is very fortunate to have such a dedicated group to champion this cause, with much expertise and experience” says Deputy Mayor Manuel. Council provided funding for the Committee and they in turn received funding from BTCRD and ACOA to complete a business plan for sustainable operations of the property.
Group ATN Consulting Inc. was chosen after an RFP process. They conducted a public forum where over 80 people gathered to express ideas. There were numerous sessions organized withkey stakeholders and what resulted was a comprehensivereuse study for the Grand Falls House property. “This extensive report proposes a strategy and presents recommendations for creating a sustainable future for the Grand Falls House” says Ms. Bartlett.
The plan was created around three considerations.
1)Developing compatible uses for the Grand Falls House and the Mill Managers House.
2)Creating adjoining businesses, the profit of which will cross-subsidize ongoing operational and maintenance expenses.
3)Collaborating with the municipality and public / private partnerships to develop opportunities that will drive traffic to the area.
Deputy Mayor Manuel says the meeting with the Cabinet Committee was the first step toward a transition agreement for the possible transfer of the property to the Town of Grand Falls – Windsor and the implementation of some of the key recommendations of the consultant report. He also said that both the Town and the Committee look forward to input and feedback from the community.
The report can be accessed on the Town website at or a copy of the report can be viewed at the Town Hall. The Grand Falls House Heritage Committee will be conducting further public consultation as the work progresses.
Media Contact:
Peggy Bartlett
Chairperson GFHHC
Barry Manuel
Deputy Mayor
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