Battleford Town Council has approved spending $25,327 for the sandblasting and powder coating of vintage metal ceiling tiles of the Battleford Opera House as part of the project to refurbish the historic facility.
The cost will be covered by funds from grant money received last year, said Town Administrator Sheryl Ballendine during Monday night’s council meeting.
The tiles, which are original to the 1912 building, will be powder coated in an off-white colour in preparation for re-installing them. Each tile was been numbered as they were taken down in 2009. They have been in storage since then.
Ballendine had examples of the tiles before and after the process to show council members.
The Opera House, the upper floor of the classically-inspired Town Hall, was once the cultural centre for the community, a place to hold such events as school plays, high school graduations, live theatre, musical talent nights, Christmas concerts, dances and firemen’s banquets. But, it fell into disuse after a fire in 1965.
There is now a plan for the Opera House to be refurbished it to its original condition, including its horse hair dance floor, one of only two in the province. An addition to the east side of the building is to provide access, house washrooms and elevator and a coffee shop. Topping it off is to be an enclosed viewing area with a 360-degree vista.
The interior of the Opera House has already been stripped and new insulation and windows have been installed. Land has also been purchased for use as a parking lot.
The project design is in the hands of Rajani Blaser Mannix Architecture and there is also a committee in place.
