There is a chance the bell in city hall’s clock tower may ring once again.
At tonight’s city council meeting, the Heritage Advisory Committee will seek city council’s approval to repair the city bell and the glass in the clock tower.
The bell does not work right now but new equipment could make it possible for it to ring on special occasions.
The request is to use up to $45,000 for the project from the facilities reserve account.
The Heritage Advisory Committee previously presented to city council regarding the bell’s status back in January of last year, but the motion was unsuccessful.
There is another bell-related project on the agenda tonight; the committee also hopes to use its Heritage Reserve Fund to get the old city bell on display once again.
That bell, which comes from the former city hall building, was on display in Crescent Park outside the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery for many years. After it was vandalized, the bell was moved out of the park. It was transported to the city yards where it sat until the Heritage Advisory Committee set about trying to repair it.
With help from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the bell has been repaired. The hope now is to get it back on display in a prominent space where it cannot be damaged.
The funds will be used to construct a stand for the bell.
The motion is for approval to spend up to $15,000 from the Heritage Reserve Fund for the project.
The Heritage Reserve Fund was initially created for the Natatorium.
The meeting will be held tonight at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
