By Robin Tarnowetzki
Journal Staff Writer
robint@humboldtjournal.com
Council looked at a request to have the CN rail station assessed at the meeting on July 28.
On June 16, Patricia Glanville, a heritage architect, and Kyle Franz, manager of the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation toured the facility with museum staff. Glanville recommended that the station undergo a full assessment. Council discussed whether or not to go ahead with the assessment.
The Humboldt station was built in 1905, and has been boarded up for many years.
Council decided to first approach CN to see if similar assessments had been made and whether CN would participate as a partner in funding the assessment.
"I think the issue is that we want to determine first the structural integrity of the building," said city manager, Roy Hardy.
Several groups, including the museum, have asked whether anything will be done with the rail station. People in the community have asked if there is a way to make the building more attractive, given its proximity to downtown.
If the assessment goes well, Hardy says the city will then ask if any groups want to take on the project and repurpose the rail station.
"There have been other successful projects that have occurred in the city," Hardy said, citing the museum and the water tower.
But for now, the city just wants to get basic information about the status of the building before any decisions are made. Hardy is not sure when more information about the state of the building will be available.
"It's likely to be a little more of a process; not something that will resolve itself quickly," he said.
