Council digest: Auchmar plans go back to the drawing board

The city will go back to the drawing board to try to figure out a future for crumbling Auchmar Estate. City culture staff promised Wednesday to come back to council with possible adaptive reuse options - and a renovation budget - for the heritage-protected Mountain manor house, which needs almost $10 million in repairs. Council had hoped a local community group could make good on its dream of turning the building into a Royal Hamilton Light Infantry museum, gift shop, conference centre and park. But after two years, the city recommended pulling the plug on an unfunded plan that was going nowhere. Local heritage advocates wrote council to support the city's plan - particularly the goal of keeping the building in public ownership. Historian and heritage tour guide Robin Mckee said losing the building to a sale "would be a tragedy to heritage in Hamilton."