The JJ Smith Mill Committee - tasked with overseeing the updating of the old Yorkton brick mill along Livingstone Street - has been given the go ahead by Yorkton City Council members to continue work at the site with a report due back in one year.
Council says they are more than satisfied with efforts put forth so far and they support continued initiatives to transform the mill from demise to more of a tourist draw.
"As stated last October," spoke Vern Brown of the Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society to council, "we had just started phase two of the project (stabilization)."
It was determined that rather than roof repairs, a new roof would be needed. "This was completed by June 30, 2014, along with repairs to the south, west and north walls. When the crack on the east wall is repaired, phase two of the project will be completed." These repairs mean the mill is now protected from the elements and won't deteriorate further.
"Fund raising is ongoing," says Brown adding phase three is now a reality.
"This will be to develop a plan for future use of the mill property that will make it self-sustaining. We anticipate emphasis will be the story of grain milling in the Yorkton area, which will include wheat, oats, flax and canola. Other options may be incorporated with ideas coming from city hall and the general public."
Pleased with the progress to date, council voted to support the committees continued efforts to restore the building, expecting an update in September of 2015.
