Plan needed to preserve historical buildings

Dear Editor

As president of the Battlefords Heritage Society, I have limited access to the goings on in the downtown core. But usually my hunches are correct. There is no plan to manage our historic structures downtown. A record number of our old buildings have either been demolished, or they have burned down. They include the Sallows and Boyd building (the Pigeon Hotel), the old bus depot, the old hotel on 100th Street, the old Woolworth Building on 101st Street and before that the 100 year old Jesus is Alive Building and before that the Miller Block and old Savoy Cafe on 100th Street. And of course, the old post office and Royal Bank Building on 101st Street decades ago (the most unconscionable acts). There is more, but that's enough for now. 

Which buildings are next? The CN building off Railway Avenue at the end of 101st Street? The Long Horn Steak House on 100th Street? What about the 110-year-old military  armoury building on South Railway Avenue (when the Battlefords Trade and Education Centre moves to its new location)? Any others? I'm sure there are.

I'm serving notice that I am about to research and write a series of articles on downtown North Battleford. Look forward to reading a slate of articles titled; A) What was downtown North Battleford like in 1966 (the economic, social and cultural centre of the city). B) What is it like now, how did it get this way and who is responsible. C) A bold vision and plan for the downtown core that addresses the infrastructure, security, economic, social and cultural, restoration of our architectural history and rebuilding of downtown North Battleford (the plan will be taken to the public before it is formally presented).

Richard W. Hiebert

President, Battlefords Heritage Society