The Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society is continuing its efforts to save the old mill building.
That was the simple message to Yorkton Council Monday when Vern Brown gave the Society's annual report.
"As stated last October, we had just started Phase II of the project (stabilization). As we progressed to repairs of the roof it was found to be non-repairable and a new roof had to be designed and replace the old roof in its entirety," detailed a letter circulated to Council from Brown and the Society.
"This was completed by June 30, 2014, along with repairs to the south, west, and north walls. When the crack on the east wall is repaired, Phase II of the project will be completed.
"The cost of the replacement roof and engineering fees for the roof has increased our Phase II expenses by approximately $50,000. The mill is currently protected from the elements and should not deteriorate further."
"We spent a lot of money, but we got a lot done," said Brown.
When Councillor Les Arnelien asked how much the Society has spent to-date on the building, Brown said it was likely more than $100,000 at this point.
That said, Brown added not all the money spent on the roof has been raised.
"We're virtually on a hold pattern until we raise the rest of it," he said.
A City Administration report circulated to Council at the meeting Monday detailed the roof work from a City perspective.
"The Mill Committee obtained a Building Permit for the replacement of the roof on April 29, 2014. The required permit application was prepared by a Saskatchewan Engineer. The roof replacement has been completed. Building Services is working with Logan Stevens Construction to arrange for the engineer to complete the final field inspection as per the conditions of the permit. The repair of the roof is a significant action that will prevent further infiltration of moisture into the building which had previously resulted in interior structural damage," it stated.
There remain a number of repairs identified as "Priority 1" in the August 2012 report entitled "Options Analysis, Condition Assessment & Repair Schedule" that have yet to take place. Most of these repairs deal with the stabilization of the cracking exterior masonry walls, continued Brant Hryhorczuk, Manager of Building Services.
The cracks "will require steel stitching," he said, adding building permits and engineered designs will also be required. "We consider that the next priority."
Once the last work is fully funded, the Society wants to move forward with additional efforts.
"Now that the new roof is on and the Phase II stabilization is nearly complete, it appears Phase III will become a reality," stated the letter. "This will be to develop a plan for future use of the mill property that will make it self-sustaining. We anticipate emphasis will be the story of grain milling in the Yorkton area, which will include wheat, oats, flax and canola. Other options may be incorporated with ideas coming from City Hall and the general public."
Brown went into a bit greater detail suggesting the Society would like to tell the story of milling in the city, not just of wheat at the old mill, but modern efforts in processing canola, oats and flax in the city. He added to do that they would look at erecting a new building on the site.
The recommendation passed by Council was "that the JJ Smith Mill Committee be given the opportunity to continue to work towards the restoration of the building in consultation with Building Services during each phase of the restoration in order to determine potential Building Permit requirements; and furthermore that the JJ Smith Mill Committee be instructed to report on their progress to City Council at a September 2015 council meeting and furthermore that Building Services continues to monitor the building for any signs of deterioration that could pose a potential safety concern."
