A provincial foundation is helping fund the preservation of history here in Saskatchewan. The Elrose Brick School is just one of the historic sites set to benefit from some newly announced funding from the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation.

Earlier in June the group announced they would be awarding over $200,000 dollars to support nine municipally designated heritage buildings.

"The Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation (SHF) is pleased to announce that it has awarded $212,000 in grants to support various heritage conservation projects throughout the province," stated the release. "This funding aims to assist in the conservation of significant historic buildings, bolstering the province's cultural landscape and ensuring the longevity of Saskatchewan's rich history.

The already mentioned local project will see the Elrose Brick School receive funding to renovate a heritage building that reflects our province's educational history according to the SHF release.

Joining the retired Elrose education building is the Humboldt Water Tower, one of the few remaining lighthouse-style water towers in the province, and the Allen Sapp Gallery in North Battleford, which honours the world-renowned Cree artist and will see the grant used for repairs to a distinctive character defining element of the building.

The rest of the list included:

  • The Yorkton Brick Flour Mill, an example of early 20th-century industrial architecture in the province; 
  • The Theodore Heritage Museum, formerly a Canadian Pacific Railway station, now a community museum and archival library;
  • The Globe Theatre of Regina, Saskatchewan's oldest performing arts centre, will be supported in its efforts to preserve the integrity of its historic building;
  • St. Michael's Catholic Church in the RM of Redberry;
  • and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in the RM of Grant, both examples of the province's early religious architecture;
  • The Gordon Residence in the RM of Webb, a historic residential building, will be aided in maintaining its historic character.

"These structures represent a broad cross-section of Saskatchewan's historical and cultural legacy," said SHF Chairperson Margaret Huntington. "We're proud to support these communities in their efforts to maintain these important pieces of our provincial heritage."

Utilizing this grant program twice a year, SHF is working to 'inspire communities to value, preserve, and support their local heritage sites' all in an effort to 'work towards its mission of fostering a culture of heritage conservation in Saskatchewan'.