Yorkton residents came out in support of saving the former Kent Flour Mill and the attached elevator at the recent City Council Meeting.
Sheila Harris, who has been involved with efforts to save the mill for 20 years, notes that the mill is a building unique to Yorkton, being the only brick mill in Saskatchewan. While agreeing that plans to demolish some annex buildings is prudent, she also believes that the elevator should be preserved on site.
"The mill is the only building in Yorkton left to honor the settlers and agriculture that was, and still is, the backbone of our economy," Harris says.
She admits it would likely be impossible to retrofit the buildings for public use, but she believes the buildings could be preserved and a park built surrounding the buildings. She says the architecture is a draw to the city, even if people cannot get in the building.
"I live by the mill, and I've seen many tourists come to take pictures of the mill. We have seen several wedding couples have their wedding pictures taken by the mill," Harris notes.
There are also grants for the preservation of heritage buildings, Harris notes, and she believes that this is an alternative worth looking in to in order to preserve the building.
Carol Bolt also says the desire to save the mill is something universal in the city, and that as a result an effort should be made to save it.
"Not a single person who I have talked to has said "oh, it's a piece of junk, rip it down." Everybody is in favor of saving the old mill," Bolt says.
She also notes the fact the city has a lack of heritage buildings overall, and she says that losing more heritage sites puts Yorkton at a disadvantage when it comes to tourism and culture. She suggests that one use for the building could be a Yorkton-specific museum if restored.
Councillor Chris Wyatt recognized the historical value of the buildings, but noted that he trusted the structural assessment and believes the plan to demolish all buildings except for the old mill was the only alternative.
"I believe that if the elevator is meant to be demolished, it's meant to be demolished. It has had a lot of years of being run down, and if people tell me it's got to go, it's got to go, and I'm prepared to trust them," Wyatt says.
While councillor Larry Pearen regrets that demolishing the elevator part of the site is necessary, he notes that it is now a health and safety issue.
"I wish we could rewind time to ten or fifteen years ago and we could save it, but at this time I believe it is a good compromise," Pearen says.
Council voted to tender for demolition of all buildings on site, with the exception of the old mill itself, and secure the mill to prevent unauthorized entry and protection from the elements. The mill would retain municipal heritage status.
