A local group is hoping to raise $750,000 for an interpretive trail to commemorate the legacy of the Saskatchewan Hospital. (Ian Roach/BattlefordsNOW Staff).

By Ian Roach

LEGACY TRAIL

Committee announces plans for public space to commemorate Saskatchewan Hospital

Nov 23, 2022 | 2:30 PM

The Saskatchewan Hospital Legacy Trail Committee announced a $750,000 fundraising campaign to raise money for a public trail. The committee envisions a paved trail that wanders along the North Saskatchewan River and guides visitors past a series of interpretive stations with information about the history of the original Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford.

The Saskatchewan Hospital Legacy Trail Committee is a sub-committee of the Battlefords North West Historical Society.

The announcement was made Tuesday night in Battleford. The project lead for the Saskatchewan Hospital Legacy Trail Project, Debi Anderson, said they have ambitious plans for the site.

“We’re hoping to raise $750,000 to construct a paved trail and all of those monuments,” she said. “Hopefully within that budget, a courtyard adjacent to the chapel.”

The original hospital was closed in 2018 and demolished in 2021 after the province couldn’t find a buyer. The original building was in service for over 100 years. During the demolition, thousands of bricks were saved and are now part of the fundraising campaign.

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The chapel is the only building that remains. “When the decision was taken to demolish the Saskatchewan Hospital, the province said everything but the chapel.” Remarked Anderson. “So we were very happy with their decision to do that, and the province did a wonderful job of maintaining all the beautiful trees on the site.”

The committee launched a website that has several ways for people to give. Among the possibilities, donors can purchase an engraved brick from the original hospital for $250. An engraved brick from the smoke stack is $500. There are also opportunities to sponsor larger items for the trail such as benches.

Donors can purchase an engraved brick from the smoke stack for $500 (Staff photo/Ian Roach).

Anderson says the ownership of the land is being transferred to the City of North Battleford and will likely take a year or two to complete. The committee hopes that by the time the ownership transfer is complete, they will be ready to move ahead with the project.

There are two guided tours scheduled for anybody interested in learning more about the project. The first is scheduled for Sat., Dec. 3, at 1:30 p.m. The second tour will be Tues., Dec. 6 at noon.

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Ian.Roach@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanRoachSK