Dear Editor
I have had the privilege of writing the words for interpretive panels for the historic Coronation Park and the North Battleford Power House, both of which have not existed for many years. Only our older senior citizens would remember Coronation Park. Our younger seniors would likely remember the power house. The reading public may remember that I wrote articles on both the park and the power house for the News-Optimist some time ago. I was impressed with our city's residents' interest in these essays (and on the Sallows and Boyd building and the old bus depot on 11th Avenue), so I have written more articles on the Battlefords' fascinating history.
The Battlefords Heritage Society, of which I am the president, and the Battlefords North West Historical Society (Gil Bellavance, president) are pleased that the City's Parks, Recreation, Culture and Heritage Department has found the means to underwrite this project. This has been in the works for quite some time. My good friend, Julian Sadlowski, and I had written letters to the City asking for panels to be located by the old stone wall just below the rise on which the power plant stood. We believe many of our old and young residents will take time to visit the old stone wall and remember our city's illustrious past or learn and remember. The site is located about 75 yards south of the railway overpass and 50 yards to the left.
We thank the City for its interest in this project, and we are also hopeful that this is a turning point - that the City will partner with the history community to preserve our built and cultural history.
Richard W. Hiebert,
President, Battlefords Heritage Society
