By Greg Higgins

Historical society hopeful for preservation of old Sask. Hospital

Dec 9, 2016 | 11:18 AM

With the new Sask Hospital set to open in less than two years, a local historical society is attempting to preserve at least part of the current one, which has stood for over 100 years.

The current Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford was established in 1913 and at the time was at the forefront of mental health treatment. Now 103 years later, it can’t keep up with the evolution of mental health which is why the new Sask. Hospital is currently under construction and will open in 2018.

The Battlefords North-West Historical Society believes the building is iconic to the area and needs to be protected. Jane Shury is chairman of the committee spearheading the operation and said the hospital has too much significance to tear down.

“Our hospital had such a high standard and was noted around the world,” Shury said. “What we have now in mental health, is a by product of the work done in the Sask Hospital. We aren’t at those standards anymore but the hospital has contributed so much to our history and it is really very important to keep our history and learn from it.”

Shury realized trying to preserve the entire building is impossible so the society is trying to save just the front of the building. Shury wants to set up the old equipment for display so people could visit and learn about how mental health was treated 100 years ago and how far along the industry has come.

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Shury said she understands there could be some road blocks in convincing the government to allow them to protect the building. She added the area doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to the preservation of historical buildings. She gave the “Government House,” which burned down roughly 6 years ago, as an example of allowing a historical site to become dilapidated.

Shury is confident they can convince the government to save the building though.

“That is number one to come up with a plan where we will assure the government the part of the building we are trying to save will be maintained and used so it won’t end up dilapidated like some of our other historical buildings,” Shury said.

The second road block is convincing the Department of Central Services of the importance of the building, which is something Shury believes won’t be a problem. She is asking for the public’s help though. Shury wants anyone in the Battlefords area with any ideas, or a plan, to contact the Battlefords North-West Historical Society and promised anyone who comes forward will be heard.

Greg Higgins is battlefordsNOW’s city municipal affairs and health reporter. He can be reached at ghiggins@jpbg.ca or tweet him @realgreghiggins.

by Greg Higgins

Historical society hopeful for preservation of old Sask. Hospital

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