The historic former Battleford Land Registry Office facility is being turned into the Saskatchewan Land Surveyors' Association (SLSA) Museum. (submitted photo/SLSA)

By Angela Brown

In the chambers

Historic building to become Land Surveyors’ Museum

Apr 2, 2019 | 4:58 PM

A heritage building will become a museum, continuing the strong legacy of the Historic Battlefords.

Town council approved the lease agreement with the Saskatchewan Land Surveyors Association (SLSA) during its meeting Monday, with the provision the lease be renewed in three years to make sure it is working for both the town and the association. Council also agreed the town will cover insurance costs.

CAO John Enns-Wind said in his report the project also fits within the town’s tourism plan.

“It’s a good step to start diversifying tourism here in the Battlefords,” he said during the meeting.

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The former Land Registry Office building, located near the site of former Government House, will become the permanent home for the SLSA Museum, to exhibit its collection of surveyors’ artifacts and tell stories of land surveying history in the province.

The SLSA previously considered the St. Vital Church building for its museum. It eventually decided the former Land Registry building was more suitable.

The town will continue to own the building and oversee any repairs or maintenance to preserve it as a heritage site. The SLSA will manage the building and maintain its upkeep and utilities.

The Heritage Conservation branch is also involved in the discussions about the site.

Mayor Ames Leslie said upgrade plans are already underway.

“They (SLSA) are bearing the cost of renovation and setting up the museum out there,” said Leslie following council. “So we are very thankful in welcoming them to be part of our community.”

There is also expected to be a concessions shop at the surveyors’ museum. The town report indicates the SLSA will sell books, souvenirs and such, to visitors to the museum.

The town also plans to work with the SLSA to try to acquire additional partners to benefit the new museum, such as Parks Canada.

Travis Wolfe, professional land surveyor and chair of our SLSA Museum Committee, said he is excited about the future for the project to showcase the history of land survey work in the province from the 1880s on.

“The mission of the museum is to educate our people on the processes, the technology and the individuals that helped survey and subdivide the province of Saskatchewan,” he told battlefordsNOW.

Wolfe said the association appreciates the Town of Battleford’s efforts in helping with the project.

“We’re hoping to forge a really great strong partnership that is going to last well into the future,” he said.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow