Waldhof Community Fights for Hall Ownership

A community hall in a small hamlet of northwestern Ontario is currently involved in an ownership conflict.

The residents of Waldhof, situated about nine kilometres east of Vermilion Bay, have kicked off a public initiative regarding their hall’s ownership, which is under the control of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board. However, representatives from Waldhof argue that the community has been covering costs for utilities, maintenance, and insurance while asking the board to hand over ownership.

“That’s our gathering place,” said Laurie Huffman, treasurer of the Waldhof Recreation Committee. “If there’s a town meeting we hold, like our local roads boards, meetings are held there.”

“It’s a really integral part of our community. It’s our focal point.”

Huffman mentioned that the original hall was established on that site more than a century ago but was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1946.

Transferred to school board

In 1927, the land where the hall sits was given to the local school board for just $10. Huffman explained that it’s believed this transfer happened because Waldhof wasn’t considered an organized community back then.

This board later merged with others and became part of what’s now known as the Dryden District School Board. Subsequently, it merged again with Kenora and Red Lake boards to form the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) in 1998.

According to Huffman, when the community sought improvements for their hall in 2022, they reached out to KPDSB requesting to acquire it for $1.

“In 2022, we had a benefactor, a seasonal rental resident that was willing to donate a lot of money to be able to help update the hall,” she said. “He wanted to redo the bathrooms, redo the kitchen, spend a lot of money, and we figured if we’re going to spend that kind of money, we should find out who actually owns the building and see if we can get it turned over into our name.”

“You don’t want to put a whole bunch of money into a building you don’t own.”

However, Huffman noted that when they approached KPDSB about this request for transfer ownership they found out that they were unaware they owned it at all until then.

Ownership transfer sought

“It was still in the Dryden District School Board’s name,” she stated. “When we approached them with the letter asking them to purchase it for a dollar and they discovered they owned it themselves; they quickly moved it into their name.”

The website supporting their campaign indicates that the Waldhof Recreation Committee continues urging KPDSB to transfer ownership back to them for just $1.

“Failing that, they are asking MPP Greg Rickford and Minister of Education Paul Calandra to exercise authority under Ontario Regulation 374/23 to require the transfer,” according to their website.

While reaching out regarding this matter with Ontario’s Ministry of Education brought some feedback saying they’d need ongoing discussions with KPDSB instead.

A spokesperson from KPDSB told that no one was available for interviews at this time.

“The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board values the important role the Waldhof Community Hall plays within the Waldhof community,” stated an email sent by KPDSB representatives contacted by CBC. “KPDSB has been working with representatives from Waldhof community and other stakeholders regarding Community Hall following Ontario legislation related governing real property acquisition.”

‘”KPDSB remains committed toward open communication moving forward considering both community interests along with its legislative responsibilities.”



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