For the last five decades, the council has been using a historic building in ways that many believe have compromised its heritage value. Community members and heritage advocates argue that the building has been ‘used and abused’ as the council prioritized its own needs over preservation.
Critics say that the council’s actions have led to the deterioration of the building’s historical features and that it has not been properly maintained. Now, with plans underway to sell off or repurpose the structure, there are growing fears that its cultural significance will be further diminished or lost entirely.
Local residents and preservation groups are calling on the council to reconsider its approach and to engage in proper conservation efforts that respect the building’s history. They emphasize that such heritage sites deserve careful stewardship, not exploitation. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of balancing public administration needs with heritage conservation.