Tony Porco and the Algoma Conservatory of Music have been declared co-winners of Sault Ste. Marie's 2020 Municipal Heritage Award.
Porco will be recognized for his role developing the Machine Shop, originally built by Francis H. Clergue as part of the St. Marys Paper complex.
In 2013, Blue Forest Environmental Ltd. received the same award for its development work on the building.
The Algoma Conservatory will be honoured for redeveloping the paper mill's general headquarters building next door.
The decision was made Wednesday at a meeting of the city's municipal heritage committee.
The award will be presented at the first available City Council meeting closest to Heritage Week.
That's expected to be in February.
The Municipal Heritage Award is offered annually by the City of Sault Ste. Marie on recommendation of the municipal heritage committee.
It recognizes contributions to the preservation, restoration and enhancement of the Sault's heritage resources, as defined in the city's cultural policy.
The cultural policy defines heritage resources as:
- immovable heritage: buildings, cultural, heritage landscapes, natural heritage, archaeological and traditional use sites
- intangible heritage: expressions of culture of the community (custom, dance, music song, story, etc.)
- movable property: personal property (art, artifacts, documents, natural objects and specimens)
The following are past recipients of the Municipal Heritage Award:
- 2018 – Jean Marie Wissell and Christine Viens, Chris Tossell
- 2017 – Gordon Smedley
- 2016 – not awarded
- 2015 – Cindy Parniak
- 2014 – not awarded
- 2013 – Blue Forest Environmental Ltd.
- 2012 – not awarded
- 2011 – Fiser Family (Algonquin Hotel)
- 2010 – not awarded
- 2009 – Ukranian Cultural Centre of Sault Ste. Marie
- 2008 – Dr. Robert Ewing
- 2007 – Dr. Timothy Best and Dr. Marilyn Leahy
- 2006 – Linda Burtch