Yorkton's Brick Mill Heritage Society has been given another year to move forward with plans to restore the old flour mill located along Livingstone Street in the city.
Following a presentation to council Monday evening where a representative from the society provided an update on progress to council members, council agreed to support the project for another year with a new update due in September of 2014.
Still in need of funds to continue their work, the group is busy fundraising as well as making progress with physical renovations. Securing the services of local contractor Logan Stevens, the interior of the facility has been cleaned up, windows have been installed and a metal roof is slated to go on any day.
To date, says Vern Brown with the society, the group was awarded $15,000 from the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation. Local fundraising has amounted to another $17,000 in funds, leaving a balance of about $30,000 to be raised for the next phase of work. Brown says he anticipates now that physical progress is being made, fund raising efforts will improve.
Phase three of plans include telling the story of grain processing through making use of onsite equipment. "It's amazing what's inside the building," says Brown. "Not just in the equipment, but in the unique structure of it..."
He looks forward to continued support from both the city and the community to take the mill from almost certain demise, to a self-sustaining tourist attraction.
Acknowledging the fact there is much work to be done, council agreed to give the go ahead for additional improvements so long as work is progressing.
