City Receives Heritage Award for Land Title Building Work - 2023

The City of Yorkton was recently presented with a Heritage Saskatchewan award by The Honorable Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty, for the exterior restoration work completed on the Land Titles Building. At the awards ceremony on November 8, 2023, at Government House in Regina, Mayor Mitch Hippsley, along with Lisa Washington, Manager of Community, Culture, and Heritage, and Kurt Stechyshyn, Facilities Manager, were presented with the 2023 award for Physical Heritage Conservation.

The Land Titles Building is one of four such buildings constructed in Saskatchewan between 1906 and 1914 in the Georgian Classical Style. Designated a Municipal Heritage Building in 1989, the facility is located at 49 Smith Street East, and forms part of the Godfrey Dean Cultural Centre. Using historical techniques, Wilhelm Masonry worked on the building in 2021 and 2022 where they undertook Jahn mortar repairs, steam cleaning of all limestone units, and repointing all of the brick and mortar joints. The project was deferred until grant funding could be obtained, and the City recognizes and appreciates the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation who provided over $70,000 towards the project.

“The City of Yorkton is elated to be recognized by the province for this historic structure.” said Mayor Mitch Hippsley. “We must always pay tribute to our pioneer forefathers as beautiful buildings like the Land Titles Building is an integral testimony to our past and for our future generations.”.

The Land Titles Building can be booked for private and public events, and is a popular venue for smaller weddings and celebrations, workshops, and meetings. Rentals are coordinated by the City of Yorkton and can be requested online at www.yorkton.ca.

The Heritage Awards celebrate the remarkable work undertaken throughout the province. The projects recognized represent a small sample of the rich diversity of heritage, both tangible and intangible, found right here in Saskatchewan. They are a testament to the value that individuals and community place upon documenting, promoting, teaching, and safeguarding heritage for future generations.

More information on the Heritage Saskatchewan awards can be found online at www.heritagesask.ca.