By GEOFFREY CUNNINGHAM Jr.

Staff Writer

LACONIA — A building once described as the "pride and joy" of Lakeport could end up being used for storage in Madison if a Conway man is successful in moving it.

The Lakeport Train Depot, built in 1900, has spent several years behind the Laconia airport. After being up on blocks in Lakeport for several years, the station was moved to the airport by Don Leavitt and Rick Miller, who had hoped to incorporate it into their plans for transforming the abandoned Kimball’s Castle into a luxury inn.

Leavitt said that while the airport authority has been kind enough to allow the structure to sit on its property, it now feels it is time for the building to go.

"I appreciate that the airport allowed us to store it there for so many years. The issue is that now they want it gone as fast as possible so I have hired Speare Brothers Salvage Co. to tear the building down at the end of January if it hasn’t been moved," explained Leavitt.

He said that while the building will be demolished if it isn’t moved by someone who wants it, a recent influx of interested parties has him confident that it can be saved.

"We had some articles written about the station and they got picked up by papers all over the state. I know we got at least 50 calls from people who were interested in the building," remarked Leavitt.

He said that some of the calls were realistic and others were not.

"We had a range of people calling about the station. Some acted like they wanted to back the station wagon up and pull it away, and others who were quite serious," explained Leavitt.

According to Leavitt, two or three interested parties are currently talking about acquiring the building which will be given away for free.

"We have a couple interested parties though one man from Conway seems to be the most likely to move the building. Sean Sylvester wants to take the station and its two wings, dismantle them, and rebuild them up north," said Leavitt.

While Leavitt hopes the building can be saved, the man slated to do the actual work said he will have to find enough time to move the structure before it is destroyed.

"I’m going to do the best I can to move it and put it back together, but it will be difficult because I won’t be able to move it as it is now," said Sylvester.

Sylvester, who moves buildings by trade, said it will be hard to get the building taken apart and moved due to a number of factors including time and the process of actually transporting the structure.

Leavitt talked about why it would be a challenging and possibly expensive procedure.

"It’s difficult to move a building because even if the roads can accommodate width-wise, the roof of the building is too high to get under many power lines. It is very expensive to have these lines taken down so this is why he is planning to dismantle it," said Leavitt.

Leavitt said the building and its two wings are more than 100 feet long when connected.

He talked glowingly of a building that was once a bustling centerpiece of the area.

"The building is quite historical and was really the pride and joy of Lakeport," remarked Leavitt.

While Leavitt described his happiness that such a historic and picturesque structure could be saved, Sylvester talked about a less glorious use for the building.

"I have good use for it. I have a piece of property in Madison and will probably use the station as storage," said Sylvester.

The building mover said he would have to see if he has enough time on his hands before he can decide whether to become the new owner of the station.