The council for the Town of Stonewall passed a resolution On Wednesday approving a $1,000,000 contribution to the "Save the Kilns" initiative. The project will see the restoration of three kilns located at Quarry Park in Stonewall and the development of green space around the structures.

Mayor Clive Hinds says that even though the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of havoc, Stonewall continues to move the needle on essential matters.

"We have been working at this 'Save the Kilns' project since 2018, and we all recognize that the kilns were actually the starting point, and the DNA of Stonewall, no matter what you do or where you go, if you see two kilns standing, right away you think of Stonewall."

Hinds notes the kilns have deteriorated over time, forcing the town to now take on this project which in total is estimated to cost $3,500,000.

"100 years later, they have deteriorated to a point where we find that they are unsafe. So, the town decided that we want to kickstart the project by agreeing to spend $1,000,000 from the town's funds."

He adds the $1,000,000 contribution will be $500,000 upfront, followed by $100,000 increments given by the town annually from 2023 to 2027, with the rest of the funding hopefully coming from fundraising.

Hinds says he strongly believes this money is well spent and will help the kilns thrive for another 100 years into the future.

Once completed, the town of Stonewall says they hope the restored kilns will become a destination for tourism, bringing events to Stonewall that will help drive the local economy.