YORKTON - The Interpretive Station at the brick mill is moving forward with construction expected to begin within a few weeks.
The decision of the Brick Mill Heritage Society to initiate the build comes after receiving a $500,000 grant from Government of Canada’s Department of Canadian Heritage through the Legacy Fund component of the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program.
Terry Tyson, Chair, of the project’s capital campaign said the money means $1.8 million has been raised to-date out of a goal of $2.2 million.
“We feel that is (enough to move forward),” he told Yorkton This Week, adding “we have some other irons in the fire,” they feel will come through to top off the fundraising effort.
The federal dollars are something the local committee applied for about four months ago, and while it was suggested “we made it by the first gate,” a couple of months ago, Tyson said the final approval came only a couple of weeks ago.
“It turned around quicker than we expected,” he said.
The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minster of Canadian Heritage, said in a release the project was a good one.
“We are proud to support the Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society in their exciting project to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the last remaining brick flour mill in Saskatchewan,” he stated in a prepared release. “I look forward to the community of Yorkton and visitors gathering in this historic building to enjoy the arts and explore our rich culture and heritage.”
Larry Pearen, President, Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society said the funding is of course appreciated.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have received this support from the Government of Canada. Our facility has come such a long way over the years, and we now host many cultural and heritage events, along with tours of our heritage mill,” he said in the release. “This invaluable funding will truly make our project possible, and in doing so, will help us reach more people with events that promote culture, Truth and Reconciliation, education, and history. We offer our sincere gratitude to Minister St-Onge and the Department of Canadian Heritage.”
Now it is just a matter of when work begins, with Tyson telling YTW it will be “sooner than later.”
“The final design is imminent,” he continued. “NL Construction has been awarded the general contract.”
Tyson said if all goes as expected work will begin soon, and be completed within several months. He said they are hoping for completion “in late spring, early summer, next year (2024).”
