A recently formed committee in the city appeared before the regular meeting of Yorkton Council hoping to spur interest in establishing the old mill site in the city as an historic site, and tourist attraction.
"A committee of interested citizens met with Yorkton Business Improvement District (YBID) October 20, 2010 to discuss the park project for the mill site and to look at future plans that would enhance the property as a tourist attraction," explained Sheila Harris, chair of the new J.J. Smith Mill Committee.
The YBID has already been given Council approval for a plan to create a park area adjacent to the mill building, and has pledged $20,000 to complete the park project with the end result being maintained by the City, said Harris.
Harris said the 16-member committee has held several meetings, including one with Frank Korvemaker, Saskatchewan Archivist; Garth Pugh, Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation; Ross Herrington, retired engineer Federal Government (researcher/writer of heritage buildings) coming to Yorkton to assess the mill structure and possibilities.
In addition, on April 13, Korvemaker, Pugh and Herrington met with committee members and City Engineer, Moshuir Rahman to tour the mill inside and out, said Harris.
After studying the structure the committee believes there could be a future life for the brick building as a historic tourist attraction, offered Harris.
The old mill certainly has ties to the earliest history of the city.
"In 1898, a flour mill was built on North Front Street (now Livingstone) by John J. Smith. Records indicate the mill was built of bricks from Smith's own brick plant in Yorkton and sold to Levi Beck after a few years. The City of Yorkton's assessment roll, dated 1900, records a grist mill elevator owned by J.J. Smith on Lots 9 and 10 Blk 9, assessed at $15,000 with taxes amounting to $31.15," outlined a report by Cynthia Alcorn circulated to Council.
" The Mill maintained elevators in Yorkton and Otthon to store purchases of grain so that there would be a continuous supply for milling throughout the year. Mill wheat purchased was manufactured into flour in Yorkton while inferior grades were shipped away. Between the elevators and the mill, seven men were employed.
"In 1947, Princess Elizabeth and Lt. Phillip Mount Batten were married. The City of Yorkton, under the direction of Alderman H.W. Vaugh, raised the required funds to send the couple a unique gift - a rail car of flour milled in Yorkton. Approximately 10 tons of flour milled at the Yorkton Flour Mill, from wheat grown by Yorkton area farmers, was sent to Great Britain with the intention that this wedding gift would help alleviate the food shortages experienced by post-war England."
Harris said the committee would like to use the history to make the building a tourist asset.
"The committee, on recommendation from Frank (Korvemaker) would like the city to not sub-divide the site property but keep it as is. The east side entrance from Livingstone Street to the mill is important as a parking area and keeps the site as it was originally. The CPR (Canadian Pacific Railroad) owns a considerable piece east of the site and Everlast Eves business," she said.
The new committee is also looking to a heritage designation for the property.
"There is a good possibility the Mill and Site would be designated Provincial Heritage Status if an application was received by the Provincial Heritage Property Department," said Harris.
To attain the heritage designation, the registered owner, or municipality, in this case the City of Yorkton is both, must make the application, or the City could designate the Committee to make the application, explained Harris.
If the heritage designation is attained, Harris said the Committee is poised to run with the project.
"If the City approves these requests, the J.J. Smith Mill Committee will register as a non profit society and be responsible for repair and maintenance, etc. of the building for years to come," she said.
To create a site tourists could tour would take work, but Harris said the old mill was found in better condition than expected.
"The interior of the building is not as dirty as Korvemaker and Pugh have seen in other historic buildings and they feel volunteers can do the clean up. All old equipment is to be left as is, just cleaned," she said.
Councillor Larry Pearen wanted to know what the cost of such a project would be.
"At this time we haven't established a budget," said Harris, but added it would likely be $300-to-$500,000.
Coun. Chris Wyatt questioned if the property could be sold if it was designated a heritage property.
City Clerk Bonnie Schenher said a property can be sold, but with some attached restrictions on maintaining certain historic aspects of the building.
The building is currently closed with Council having previously discussed leaving it merely as a static location, but Harris confirmed the committee would want to open the mill's doors to people.
"The equipment is just absolutely wonderful to view," she said, adding it is in "better shape than expected."
Coun. Les Arnelien questioned who would cover operational costs if the doors were open to the public.
Harris said the Committee, if given the go-ahead, would look after the building and its operation moving forward.
"We really feel this could be the basis for a very good ongoing historical committee," she said.
Coun. Bob Maloney reasoned the proposal was one which needed more study.
"Some more deliberation is required on the part of Council before a decision in made," he said.
The request was referred to Administration with Coun. Pearen opposed.
