CBC’s virtual road trip series, Land of Living Stories, delves into the hidden treasures across Saskatchewan. Reporter Janani Whitfield embarked on a journey to Gravelbourg to uncover tales of community resilience. This installment marks the second of a four-part series focusing on the town.
Maria Lepage, overseeing a historic B&B, gazes out at the dormant school and convent where her childhood memories reside, now empty for nearly ten years. The massive structure at Gravelbourg’s entrance, a town embodying a European charm on the prairies, stands as a symbol whose destiny remains uncertain.
The 90,000-square-foot building currently awaits a visionary to revitalize it into a sustainable venture, open for the taking. Lepage treasures the building’s potential, emphasizing its significance to the community. She expresses dismay at the notion of demolishing this historical landmark.
Gravelbourg, established by French settlers, boasts a heritage reflected in its enduring brick edifices. The convent, erected in 1917 alongside the town’s renowned cathedral and bishop’s palace (now Lepage’s B&B), was intended to establish Gravelbourg as a prominent French hub in the West. The closure of the convent led to the town’s assumption of its upkeep, but the financial burden proved unsustainable.
In pursuit of viable solutions, the town solicited proposals to breathe new life into the convent. Despite numerous ideas, including unconventional propositions like a casino or penitentiary, a housing initiative remains the preferred outcome. The town envisions a housing project as a fitting solution to address the community’s pressing needs.
Toos Giesen-Stefiuk, captivated by Gravelbourg’s architectural splendor since relocating from Holland in 1981, has championed the town’s rich history. Engaged in fundraising efforts for over two decades, she advocates for the preservation of historic structures like a grain elevator. Giesen-Stefiuk’s involvement extends to the Friends of the Gravelbourg Convent committee, which proposed a 42-unit housing development that failed to materialize due to funding constraints.
Recognizing the cultural significance of historic landmarks, Giesen-Stefiuk underscores their value in shaping a community’s identity. She emphasizes the importance of preserving such heritage, drawing parallels to her native Holland’s windmills. As residents explore the possibilities within the convent’s walls, they remain hopeful that a sustainable future lies ahead for this enduring symbol.
The community remains committed to transforming the century-old convent into a vibrant space that will endure for generations to come, embodying the spirit of resilience and preservation.