CBC’s virtual road trip series, Land of Living Stories, delves into the hidden treasures of Saskatchewan. Reporter Janani Whitfield embarked on a journey to Gravelbourg in pursuit of uplifting tales of community unity. This marks the second installment of a four-part series featuring this locality.
Maria Lepage, overseeing a historic B&B, gazes out at the vacant school and convent where her childhood memories reside. The imposing 90,000-square-foot structure at Gravelbourg’s entrance, symbolizing the town’s “A Touch of Europe on the Prairies” mantra, beckons contemplation about its future.
Lepage treasures the building and laments the notion of demolishing the heritage site, emphasizing its unrecognized value. The French settlers’ legacy in Gravelbourg, showcased by the 1917 convent, the renowned cathedral, and bishop’s palace, aimed to establish the town as a prominent French hub in the West.
Despite the closure of the convent and subsequent challenges in maintenance, the Town of Gravelbourg seeks viable proposals to revive the historic site. Efforts to sustain the building for part-time use proved financially unfeasible, prompting the search for innovative ideas to rejuvenate the landmark.
Ariel Haug, the town’s economic development officer, highlights the need for a housing initiative to revitalize the convent, aligning with community demands and opportunities for creative redevelopment. Enthusiastic residents, like Toos Giesen-Stefiuk, advocate for preserving Gravelbourg’s history, exemplified by ongoing restoration projects.
Giesen-Stefiuk’s involvement in the Friends of the Gravelbourg Convent committee reflects the community’s aspirations to transform the convent into a housing complex, addressing the pressing housing shortage nationwide. The significance of historic structures in shaping a town’s identity underscores the resolve to repurpose the century-old convent for future generations.