BATTLEFORD — The historic old St. Vital Church in Battleford, believed to be one of the oldest Roman Catholic Churches in the province, faced demolition from 2018 to 2020 due to deteriorating conditions. Now, repairs that will see the building stand for years to come are nearing completion on the building built 140 years ago in 1883.
Five years ago, the Town of Battleford received a recommendation from town administration seeking to demolish the heritage property rather than pay the $750,000 required to fix the building, with residents and members of Battleford's North West Historical Society quick to voice their opposition. Tammy Donahue Buziak presented a petition at the time with over 100 names from Battleford who were opposed to the church's demolition.
In the eleventh hour, Jesse Crozier of SL Contractors Ltd. was hired to partially rehabilitate for $50,000 according to John Cairns and his reporting at the time.
"It's been pretty arduous, I mean, it was a lot of work because we had to do individual concrete sections ... it's kinda about preserving what's there while we put the foundation under so we can tie everything together. So it was a difficult process, but it was enjoyable nonetheless," Crozier, the project manager, told the News-Optimist on Sept. 5 as a new cross was added to the steeple.
Crozier noted that several renovations had been completed since the start of the project over two years ago, including laying a new foundation, replacing the stucco, replacing the windows, adding a new cross on the steeple, and the overall restoration of the structure.
When asked how he and the company feel to have been a part of the renovations, Crozier said, "We were thrilled, it was an awesome project for us to take on. We were more than happy to do it. It's hard to see these old buildings get torn down, there's not a lot of them left, and I know it's a big part of the town's heritage."
Referencing other historic buildings in the former capital of the North West Territories like the post office, town hall, the courthouse, or the Fred Light Museum, Crozier said, "It's a bit of our history, it's great to be a part of restoring it."
Crozier says that final touches are being added, including some painting and the erection of a picket fence. Renovations are expected to be finished within the next few weeks.
Jordan Schechtel, the parks and recreation manager for the Town of Battleford told the News-Optimist that, at this point, the renovations were done to keep the building standing, not to facilitate internal use, but that further renovations could be done at the discretion of town council.
"The original idea, I think, was to just preserve the church and keep it from collapsing in on itself, but that's all that's really decided up to this point," Schechtel said.
"What the future holds for that building ... if we're going to leave it how it is, or if the town wants to continue further renovations into the interior so it could be opened back up to the public, that hasn't been decided."
Councillor David George noted at the Town of Battleford's Sept. 5 council meeting that councillors had the chance to tour the building earlier that afternoon and were told that renovating the inside of the church would cost anywhere from $200,000 to $250,000.
"I don't know how we're going to do that, whether it's going to be fundraised or whatever, but just a heads up to people out there," Councillor George said.
"It did look great. Even the exterior, the work that's been done ... it's not an eyesore anymore." Mayor Ames Leslie said.
Mayor Leslie noted later in comments to the News-Optimist that council was able to see inside the building that day and now has the decision to continue down the path and see if there's interest in the community to raise funds to continue the renovation process.
"Now, we'll go down the path and see, is there interest in the community to step up and help fund this. And of course, maybe there would be some money from the town's coffers and reserves we'd put toward it, but not $200,000, $250,000 of it," he said.
"Maybe it's a five-year, 10-year project and we raise the money."
