The site of the old Kent Flour Mill in Yorkton is still a debated topic at Yorkton's City Council meetings.
On Monday members of a local committee formed to both save and restore the mill were in attendance to hear council's decision on whether or not there will be continued support for a concept that would see the mill eventually open as a public tourist site.
Not seeking funds from the city and willing to fundraise, the local committee says it will need about 18 months to come back to council with a detailed report on how it would create a self-sustaining historical facility that would not require funding from the city, as well as a renovation schedule and an outline of long-term funding commitments. With a letter of support from the city, the committee could then proceed to apply for grants and funding from other sources.
Also on the committee agenda, is to have a historical engineer come in to assess the old mill for direction on how best to proceed with restoration plans.
"The committee identified that it would require between one and two years to review the structure and organize fund raising efforts," said Gord Shaw from the city's Planning and Engineering Department to council. "The window for making applications to funding agencies is likely over until at least next March. Thus, the committee will likely need at least close to a year to receive notification on their applications and begin research."
The old mill building has been identified as one that can't be found elsewhere in Western Canada. It's also recognized as being the oldest brick mill still standing in Saskatchewan as well as a symbol of the importance of the agricultural industry says Shaw.
That said, it will take a great deal of money to restore the facility.
"The mill has played a significant role in the history of Yorkton. It's role however, can be represented in many different ways and not necessarily through the preservation of the building."
It was suggested rather than restoration, a monument could be erected at the site and the contents be shipped to the Western Development Museum.
Shaw recommended to council they issue a letter allowing the committee to conduct research and to pursue funding with the condition the committee returns to council with a full report in 18 months.
"The ultimate option may be demolishing the building and preservation of the machinery elsewhere in Yorkton. The committee however, should be given the opportunity to do their research and to come up with a funding model that is self-sustaining."
Council members expressed mixed feelings on the idea, some preferring to shorten the time allotted for further research and some believing the best idea is to just tear the structure down. In the end, in spite of the committees assurance the facility would be self-sustaining and not require city funding, most councillors felt there would eventually be expenses incurred.
After a final vote it was decided to give the committee until October 15, 2012 - a date prior to the next municipal election allowing the council of the day to decide on the ultimate fate of the mill.
