The construction of a metal stand for Moose Jaw’s historic bell has suffered a second setback after a Minnesota company acquired the local business contracted to perform the work.
The heritage advisory committee discussed the matter during their March meeting, the minutes of which were presented during the April 11 regular council meeting.
The minutes show that city administration spoke to the committee about the historic bell that was to have been installed by April outside Mosaic Place. Municipal officials indicated that Steady Metalworks was supposed to complete the bell stand but no longer can. Instead, city hall and committee members will contact local businesses to find a replacement company to complete the bell stand and install it.
The 120-year-old bell was supposed to have been housed in a stand composed of steel, 15 feet high with a base of 10 square feet, and be installed on the northeast corner of Mosaic Place on First Avenue Northwest. A plaque is supposed to be installed near the 1,500-pound bell to highlight its history and significance.
Steady Metalworks had indicated it could complete the work for $17,775.44, but it is unknown if that cost will still hold.
The first setback for this project occurred last summer after city hall learned that a lack of employees at Steady Metalworks and snarled supply chains had delayed the stand’s installation. The structure was originally set for installation last October.
Steady Metalworks posted a message to its Facebook page on March 15 explaining the situation.
“We have had some big changes happening around here over the past few months and we are ready to announce some big news! Steady Metalworks Ltd. has been acquired by Metro Manufacturing Inc!” the business said.
“The team at Steady would like to thank everyone for their amazing support throughout the years. You have all been a huge part of our success and helping us grow to where we are,” the business added. “This opportunity has been an amazing blessing and we are beyond thankful to be able to work with the incredible team at Metro.”
During a post-council media scrum, Mayor Clive Tolley said the installation of the 120-year-old bell has been long-awaited, so he would be patient until a new contractor was found to complete the work.
“It takes a certain level of expertise to do it and we’re just going to have to find the right person to do that job,” he said.
Tolley added that he couldn’t remember the bell being an issue when he was a city councillor 30 years ago or where it was housed.
City manager Jim Puffalt chimed in and said the bell stand is still a great project, so city hall will work with the heritage advisory committee to find another company to perform the work.
“As His Worship said, it’s been a long time since that bell was around, so it would be great to see it again,” he added. “So I think it’s just a temporary setback and we’ll have somebody step forward and do the work fairly quickly.”
The next regular council meeting is Monday, April 25.
