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~ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN~

Mill Society raising funds for Interpretive Station addition

Old picture of the Mill and Elevator

The historic Yorkton brick flour mills kicked off a fund-raising drive in 2021 to raise money for a major expansion of the mill to include an interpretive centre, meeting and multi-purpose spaces, a servery, patio, and enhanced gardens and grounds.. 

 

Capital campaign chair Terry Tyson made a presentation to City Council providing details of the campaign and what it will accomplish at the mill site at the corner of Livingstone Street and Beck Avenue, along the rail line that the mill once shared with grain elevators.

The Mill Society is planning a single storey addition to the east side of the mill. It will house an atrium which will provide access to the mill itself for tours once interior renovations are finished, as well as an interpretive centre which will focus on rebuilding connections between today's society and agriculture, which has long been the backbone of local and prairie economies.

 

At one time the mill was a vibrant gathering place for the fledgling Yorkton community, and the Mill Society feels the addition to the historic mill can again fulfill that purpose. 

Making the mill a thriving gathering place and hub again

Yorkton's historic flour mill, also known as the "brick mill" because of the construction material, is one of the oldest remaining buildings from the community's early years. Yorkton moved south from its original location in 1891 to be alongside the newly-built rail line, and in 1898 John J. Smith built the flour mill with bricks from his own brick plant to support the new settlement's agricultural base. 

 

Over the next 80 years, the old mill changed ownership a number of times before falling into disuse in the late 1980s. It is now one of the last remaining heritage mills in Saskatchewan, and the only one of its kind made from brick, and it is also the oldest remaining local commercial/agricultural heritage site. 

 

The objective of the new capital campaign is to create a new agricultural interpretive centre to educate and promote connections between society and agriculture and to restore the mill site to a thriving cultural hub and gathering space. 

Brick Flour Mill
Renovations at the Yorkton Brick Flour Mill

The new complex will be connected to the historic mill via a main entrance directly into the interpretive centre and its walk-in interactive agricultural displays. These will tell the stories of primary producers and prairie agri-businesses, demonstrating their focus on generating safe and wholesome food products by sustainable means.

 

The rest of the complex will be a vibrant, bustling hub of activity. It will offer a multi-purpose space, meeting space for service groups, artists, youth and seniors, as well as a servery, patio and enhanced gardens and grounds. 

 

The exterior grounds provide a comfortable, park-like setting featuring large aluminum panel signs that display important aspects of Yorkton’s history, including York Colony, the railroad, and the signing of Treaty 4.

 

The building will feature the iconic railway station roof design reflecting York Colony’s relocation to the railway in the late 1890s. The building design will seek to minimize carbon footprint and maximize sustainability.​​

The building will adopt state of the art technology, creating a juxtaposition of the past and the present - a mix of character and modernity that will be a coveted location for events such as:Educational and historical programming;

  • Community events, small recitals and concerts, receptions, family reunions, etc.;

  • Corporate functions such as training meetings, strategic planning sessions, and customer or staff appreciation events;

  • Youth, Indigenous and newcomers’ groups gatherings and activities;

  • Service group meetings

  • Fundraising events;

  • Farmer’s market and other indoor/outdoor opportunities.

Upgrades to the mill

Strategic Plan Sets Out Priorities

In January of 2020 the board and interested supporters of the Society participated in a workshop to develop a strategic plan for the organization. The plan sets out the strategic priorities for the next three to four years, along with specific goals and objectives.

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It also defined the mission, vision and values of the

organization as follows:

 

Mission

To restore, maintain and enhance Yorkton’s historic

brick flour mill and site.

 

Vision

To have within our community a historic landmark as a

monument to the pioneers of York Colony and early

homesteaders.

 

Values

Openness: We welcome into our membership all who wish to assist in the mission of the society.

Historical integrity: We are committed to accurately representing our local history in all our activities, including recognition of the importance of agriculture to our community.

Organizational integrity: Our deliberations and decisions shall be conducted with respect for our bylaws, our purpose and our plans, and shall be accessible for examination by our members, our supporters and community stakeholders.

Financial integrity: Our financial activities shall be honest, shall meet audit requirements and shall be publicly disclosed.

 

The following were determined to be the priorities of the Society over the term of the plan. These will be revisited in 2024, or when the goals and objectives have been largely met.

 

  • Fundraising;

  • Special events;

  • Infrastructure ownership and development;

  • Community relations, education and participation;

  • Society and board operations;

  • Historical research and presentation.

Engagement meeting with the board

Board members and volunteers attend a strategic planning workshop in January 2020.

Download the Entire
STRATEGIC PLAN

Strategic Plan
Plans / Floorplan

Storyboards

The history of Yorkton, and the brick flour mill, is told on storyboards at the mill site. 

 

The official opening of the storyboards was held on October 8, 2020. The project continues to be a work in progress, with new panels added as funds are raised.

 

Panels display the following historic topics:

 

  • First Nations

  • The original York Colony

  • The Railway

  • Story of Wheat

  • Founding of Yorkton

  • Early Farming

  • The Mill

  • Agriculture

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Future storyboards will provide history about manufacturing, the Yorkton Fair, the airport and other agricultural topics.

 

Photo above, a crew of volunteers adds more panels with Yorkton and agricultural history to the storyboard project on the south side of the mill.

We greatly appreciate our Storyboard sponsors. The list of sponsors can be found here. 

Storyboards

Meet The Board

The Society is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors, with four elected for a three-year term at each annual general meeting.

 

The Directors are:

  • Larry Pearen, Chair

  • Thom Weir, Vice-Chair

  • David Harris, Secretary-Treasurer

  • Vern Brown, Past Chair

  • Juanita Brown

  • Terry Ortynsky

  • Kevin Pickup

  • Mel Puritch

  • Gary Hutton

  • Bonnie Rushowick

  • Janice Pilipow

An Advisory Committee of volunteers assists the board by serving on various committees and working at events.

 

Members of the Committee are:

  • Clark Anderson

  • Kevin Lukey

  • Dick DeRyk

  • Cynthia Wolkowski

  • Paul Prokopiuk

  • Barry Sharpe

  • Gene Denischuk

  • Randy Litzenberger

  • Tami Hall

  • Brien Thiessen

  • Gladys Krepakevich

  • Chief Isabel O'Soupe

  • Merle Sherwin

  • Ajay Tadi

  • Terry Printz

  • Ron Pilipow

Meet the Board & Advisors

Copyright © Yorkton Brick Mill Heritage Society Inc. All rights reserved.

Box 1062  Yorkton SK  Canada S3N 2X3

Located at the corner of Livingstone Street and Beck Avenue

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