Many heritage plaques throughout Moose Jaw give people an idea of the community’s past, but those panels could soon include videos to provide more historical punch.
The heritage advisory committee has been working for months to repair existing plaques and install new ones, while it has also been focusing on a video/QR code project in collaboration with city hall and the youth advisory committee.
During its June meeting, the heritage committee decided it would film educational videos in July about several heritage sites. Those videos would then be linked through QR codes, with the codes added to their respective heritage panels.
The first videos to be filmed were expected to be about the library, Natatorium, the Old Cemetery and Central Collegiate.
The minutes of the committee’s June meeting were presented during the July 11 regular city council meeting, with council unanimously voting to receive and file the report.
Coun. Crystal Froese, council’s representative on the committee, explained that past committee chairman, Scott Hellings, produced most of the information for the plaques, while his father, Larry, also contributed some knowledge.
“I just wanted people to take note because this is the time of year when we have lots of visitors and lots of tourists in town, and we have lots of heritage places here that we celebrate,” she added.
Veterans banners
The minutes from the heritage advisory committee also show that the group is working on a project to hang Remembrance Day banners that feature local veterans. A committee member has contacted the Saskatchewan Dragoons and the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Association (ANAVETS) about whether they want to be involved and is waiting for a response.
Another member planned to contact 15 Wing Moose Jaw to see if that group wanted to participate.
City administration mentioned during the meeting that the committee has a budget of $1,000 this year that could support this project if necessary.
During the council meeting, Coun. Heather Eby said that she noticed a post on the Facebook page of the Town of Radville — her hometown — that it was pursuing a similar project. However, it is leaving the sponsorship to residents with veterans or fallen soldiers, sailors or airmen in their families.
“It might be a really good way to recognize some of the vets in our community,” she added.
While this project is in its beginning stages and work continues with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 59 and veterans, Froese promised to pass along the information.
New heritage award category
During its June meeting, the heritage advisory committee agreed to create a new category for the 2022 Heritage Awards: the Collection of Distinction Award.
This new award would recognize a group of citizens who have either maintained or preserved buildings, items or certain architectural details and highlighted a specific historical era in the city’s development. Recipients do not need to be neighbouring but could be related by historical use, development or significance.
This category could also include artifacts of distinction that citizens, businesses or organizations could submit.
Wild Animal Park
For several months, the committee has been looking at whether it would be possible to have Tatawaw Park — the former Wild Animal Park — designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After some research, city administration informed the group that the application process is lengthy and has extensive requirements. After discussion, the committee decided not to pursue the application.
Old Cemetery chapel
Another project the committee has considered is upgrading the chapel at the Old Cemetery.
City administration discussed the estimated costs to bring the chapel up to code, including fixing the stairs, vault and structural issues. However, with no funding available for the upgrades, the municipality cannot make repairs right now.
Administration plans to mention this project during council’s budget meetings this fall.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, July 25.
