Sally Wang
Terrace residents are pushing back against the city’s plan to demolish the Kin Hut, a World War II-era building located near the Heritage Park Museum. The debate came to a head at a recent public hearing, where locals and heritage advocates argued that the building’s history makes it worth preserving, despite concerns about its condition and the city’s budget.
The Kin Hut, originally built as the mess hall for the army hospital complex during the Second World War, is the last remaining structure of its kind in Terrace and one of the few physical reminders of the city’s wartime role.
“The Kin Hut was the mess hall of the hospital complex. It’s not only the last remaining building of the military hospital complex, but it’s also the only remaining mess hall from World War Two in Terrace.”
Quinn Beblow, Curator at the Heritage Park Museum
When the Canadian military feared an invasion from the northwest coast, they brought in thousands of soldiers and construction workers, dramatically increasing the local population and advancing developments on the town’s infrastructure. “The Kin Hut was the mess hall of the hospital complex. It’s not only the last remaining building of the military hospital complex, but it’s also the only remaining mess hall from World War Two in Terrace,” explained Quinn Beblow, curator at the Heritage Park Museum.
The city, however, maintains that the building’s advanced deterioration makes it unsafe and too costly to repair. Terrace Mayor Sean Bujtas stated, “The Kin Hut has been abandoned for years and it’s in disarray. Its foundation is collapsing and when we had it inspected, it was deemed a hazard and a danger to the public. And we don’t have the finances to bring this building back up to speed. So it was deemed to demolish the building and make sure that it’s not a liability to the community.”
Despite these arguments, opposition remains strong. Mary Ann Dilley, a local resident, posted an open letter months ago, stating that the Kin Hut should be restored—not demolished—as it stands as one of the few remaining reminders of Terrace’s role in the Second World War. In an interview with CFTK-TV news, she asked, “I asked why the city was determined to demolish one of the very few buildings left over from the war? It’s a heritage building as far as I’m concerned and I think it’s a shame to have it torn down.”
“Underneath that skin is a really beautiful building and it deserves to be saved.”
Bradley Pretty, President of the Skeena Valley Men’s Shed Society
Community groups have also stepped in with alternative solutions. The Skeena Valley Men’s Shed Society proposed to take over the building, promising to save the city the estimated $110,000 demolition cost.
“We’re going to save you $110,000—you won’t have to tear down that building. Underneath that skin is a really beautiful building and it deserves to be saved,” said Bradley Pretty, the Society’s president. He added that restoring the building would provide the Men’s Shed Society with a meeting and workshop space, while also preserving an important piece of local history.
The Men’s Shed has suggested seeking funding through Parks Canada’s National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places (NCSHP), which provides financial support for the conservation of historic sites, as well as from sources such as Canada Heritage’s Grants and Tax Incentives.
At the council meeting that followed the public hearing, city staff clarified that demolition of the Kin Hut could still take place as early as October or November if council gives the green light. For now, the fate of Terrace’s last WWII-era Kin Hut remains undecided.
