CBC’s virtual series, Land of Living Stories, takes viewers on a journey through Saskatchewan’s hidden treasures. Reporter Janani Whitfield explores the community spirit in Gravelbourg, the second part of a four-episode series. Maria Lepage, managing a historic B&B, reminisces about her childhood attending the now-vacant school and convent visible from her window.
Gravelbourg, a town of under 1,000 people located 150 kilometers southwest of Regina, is home to a prominent 90,000-square-foot building awaiting a viable redevelopment idea. Lepage values the building as a community gem and opposes any demolition plans, emphasizing its significance.
French settlers established Gravelbourg, constructing sturdy brick buildings such as the convent in 1917, along with the cathedral and bishop’s palace. Initially envisioned as a French hub in the West, the buildings, now a National Historic Site of Canada, once housed up to 600 students.
Following the convent’s closure and relocation of students to a new school, the town struggled with maintaining the aging structure. Despite efforts to seek proposals for its revitalization, viable ideas, particularly for housing, remain scarce. Toos Giesen-Stefiuk, a town resident, appreciates Gravelbourg’s historical charm and advocates for preserving its heritage through restoration projects.
The Friends of the Gravelbourg Convent committee proposed a housing development plan for the convent in 2019, but funding challenges hindered its progress. With housing needs prevalent in Canada, residents are hopeful for a renewed focus on the project. Giesen-Stefiuk underscores the importance of preserving historic landmarks as cultural assets that define a community’s identity and character.
