Dear Editor
Why do we think government agents with bulldozers and wrecking balls can come in and destroy our 100-year-old heritage building – our Grand Old Dame – our magnificent structure, which should be passed on to our children and grandchildren.
The old Saskatchewan Hospital is not part of North Battleford or Battleford proper. But in every other sense, it is tied culturally and economically to both communities. Generation after generation (thousands of people) have found employment at the provincial hospital, and, I know for sure many folks are sad at the prospect of losing the Grand Old Dame.
I liked the headline on John Cairn’ article with respect to the sad news at that meeting in the Tropical Inn recently with a woman from the government (“If no developer comes forward, Sask. Hospital will come down”). There were no pretenses. Didn’t even have to read between the lines. The government will raze the old building within six months or so.
A long time ago, every Sunday afternoon, we packed up our kids (four of them) and went for a drive. We always ended up at the Saskatchewan Hospital. We’d kick a soccer ball around and then lay out a blanket to have lunch (ice cream for the kids). The children would resume playing, wrestling and racing. My wife and I would go for a walk, taking in the beautiful Grand Old Dame surrounded by lush greenery and flower beds, and magnificent stands of white spruce and maples. We were drawn to the spectacular sweep of the North Saskatchewan River and the river valley. There can be no doubt that the great structure, the grounds and the river valley combine to make this the most beautiful setting in the province. And they want to knock the Grand Old Dame down.
I wrote a letter to then premier Brad Wall with my concerns about the old building. He responded. Both letters were printed in the June 30, 2016 edition of the Regional Optimist. I also wrote a 1,500 word comparative article on our beloved Saskatchewan Hospital and the Weyburn Mental Hospital, which came under the wrecking ball a number of years ago (printed in the Regional Optimist). I’m guessing that many citizens read these given that the Regional Optimisthas a circulation of about 85,000.
Thus far, the only group (bless their souls) that has stepped up to the plate to save the old building is the North West Historical Society. They went to the meeting Aug. 29. They expressed their concerns and gave some reasonable, practical suggestions. As president of the Battlefords Heritage Society, I was appreciative. These folks are onside.
There are two distant possibilities with respect to saving the old building in its entirety. The government assumes the responsibility for rebuilding and renovating the old hospital – millions of dollars. That’s the first option, and really it’s not an option because they will not engage. The second option would be a consortium of businessmen, entrepreneurs, contractors, financiers and philanthropists to step in and save the old hospital. Unlikely.
But here’s a proven strategy. The government and leader of the Opposition are petitioned with 7,000 signatures. Governments do not pay attention to individuals and small groups. They pay attention to large groups and numbers. If they don’t, they will pay for it at the ballot box.
Richard W. Hiebert
North Battleford
