MOOSE JAW — City hall’s heritage advisory committee has recognized five groups for their efforts to preserve or promote history within Moose Jaw as part of the 2024 Municipal Heritage Awards program.
Coun. Heather Eby, a council representative on the committee, and Mayor James Murdock handed out plaques to the winners during the March 10 regular council meeting. The awards included:
- The Restoration Award to Charlene and Rick Spanjer for their restoration of several historic buildings in the Avenues
- The Stewardship Award to the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture — formerly the Cultural Centre — for “meticulous maintenance” of the historic venue
- The Stewardship Award to Carrie Kiefer, Marlis Duff and Irv Drefs, who “were instrumental” in creating the Moose Jaw Schools’ archive room at A.E. Peacock Collegiate
- The Adaptive Reuse Award to Walchuk Masonry/Ominica West Storage and Rentals for the adaptive reuse of the historic building at 337 River Street West
- The Heritage Tradespeople/Craftspeople Award to Robert Walchuk, Terry Walchuk, Ray Beler, Gary McDowell, Kenny McDowell, Rex Pruden, Kale Mohns, Mitchel Walchuk, Jake Mudry and Nick Begin — all journeymen masons — for their work on the building at 337 River Street West
The Restoration Award
The Spanjers have owned several rentals in the Avenues for many years, with those buildings — 246 Oxford Street West; 1022, 1153 and 1038 Clifton Avenue; and 1146, 1030 and 1046 First Avenue Northeast — standing out in the area, a slide from a presentation said.
After acquiring each property, the couple quickly restored the exteriors “to their former glories” and updated the interiors while respecting the integrity of the heritage components, the slide said.
Most of these homes were converted from single-family units to apartments during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
The Stewardship Award (arts and culture)
The Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture, home to the Mae Wilson Theatre, “stands as a testament to the city’s dedication to preserving its architectural and cultural heritage,” another slide said.
The stewardship and dedication of the centre’s staff, board of directors and large team of volunteers ensured that “this cherished landmark” was “meticulously maintained” over the years, the slide continued.
Their “unwavering commitment” ensured that this heritage property remains a thriving hub for the arts while preserving its historical integrity for the future.
The Stewardship Award (school archives room)
Kiefer, Duff and Drefs were instrumental in researching, collecting, documenting, restoring and organizing the original archival display, which was initially located at 1075 Ninth Avenue Northwest in a portable classroom, another slide said.
The trio began this project in the late 1980s, which was a “long-term labour of love” for them, as they were fueled by a passion to keep the school history of Moose Jaw and area alive for future generations.
The display was later moved to A.E. Peacock.
The Adaptive Reuse Award
The historic structure at 337 River Street West was constructed in 1910 and was originally named the Codville Building, while it was used as a dry food warehouse, a slide said.
Since taking ownership of the building, Walchuk Masonry repaired most of the masonry parapets by using the existing brick and relating it to its original condition. Other completed work included post beam and cribbing frame assembly with load-bearing exterior walls, the slide added.
While reading this category, Eby pointed out that the Codville Building name still exists on the outside wall and is considered a “ghost mural” because it has faded over time.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, March 24.
