Adaptive Re-use of the Caledonia Old Mill
Visioning Session-July 2008
On
July 22, 2008, community members participated in a visioning
session—the first step in a community consultation process to determine
an appropriate use for the mill.
Visioning session wrap-up at the Grand Trunk Train Station
To
set the stage for visioning, participants were asked to close their
eyes and imagine that the year is 2015 in Caledonia, and that the now
restored mill is one of the town’s most significant historic
icons. People were then prompted to describe what kinds of
activities they imagined going on at the mill in 2015, and who was
participating. They were also asked to describe what the mill
looked like (inside and out), and to also surmise how the adaptation of
the mill was made possible.
Small-group
discussions followed and were divided into four 25 minute
mini-sessions—each session focused on one of the four questions asked.
Sketch
paper, markers, photographs and other graphic tools were scattered
amongst the tables which people used to expressed the many ideas that
they had for the mill. Four facilitators helped to capture the
flurry of exchange on flip charts and also helped to guide discussions
along.
Results from the session are currently being compiled and will form part of the final report of
findings to be completed by December.
What Does the Old Mill Mean to People?
This is exactly what participants were asked as part of warm-up exercises used to energize imaginative, innovative thinking prior to small-group discussions. Participants were asked to pick only one word and not to think too hard, so responses are really right ’from-the-gut’.
The word-wheels illustrate the exact words people chose and also clearly highlight the diversity of visions for the mill. They also show us that in spite of the challenges that may be ahead, people for the most part are optimistic and see the mill as having a future role in the community.
