Two Northwest heritage site preservation proposals were among 25 recently allocated funds by the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in the RM of Meeting Lake and the Doukhobour Dugout House at Blaine Lake were among those to share the $175,535 allocated in the SHF's first grant adjudication for the 2012-13 fiscal year. The foundation reviewed 42 proposals.
St. Joseph's Church will receive $5,250 while the dugout house heritage site gets at boost of $2,100.
Other grants include $15,000 to assess the structure of an 1888 stone church near Wishart, $3,500 to conserve the exterior of the Morse Museum and Cultural Centre and $2,000 to help the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society hold another field school in the summer of 2012 at the site of the South Branch House fur trade post.
"Saskatchewan's heritage resources cultivate pride in our province," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Bill Hutchinson said.
"Historic places attract people and business to our province's communities and create attractive neighbourhoods that people love living in. All heritage resources are a precious part of Saskatchewan's past that we can see and touch. By supporting this important legacy, the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation helps move our province forward."
"These grant programs are essential to the success of a number of heritage developments, particularly in rural communities," Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation chairman Wesley Moore said.
They strengthen Saskatchewan's heritage resources, which helps strengthen the province's identity. Investing these funds in community-based initiatives will help secure diverse heritage assets for Saskatchewan residents today and in the future."
The SHF is a government agency that supports heritage conservation and development in the province. The foundation financially supports community and provincial heritage projects that aim to conserve, research, interpret, develop and promote Saskatchewan's vibrant heritage resources. Grant applications are reviewed by the SHF twice each year. Application deadlines are Jan. 15 and Aug. 15.
The foundation also acquires, manages and develops real and moveable property in the name of the Crown and accepts the donation of cash, property and other bequests.
To learn more about the SHF, please visit www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/SHF.
