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Gravelbourg Says Goodbye to its 1928 Water Tower

For 96 years the water tower had been a beacon of home for the residents of Gravelbourg. At over 150
feet, the Tower was the tallest structure in the town of 1000 and was visible from the east or west for several kilometers. This weekend the residents said goodbye to the structure.

Earlier in the year, the Town of Gravelbourg announced the work to decommission and dismantle the 1928 water. Due to ongoing leaks and other issues, the tower has been out of service since late 2022 and was no longer required for its original purpose. Its substantial height, age, structural integrity, and proximity to a school, daycare, residences, and the Town and Prairie South School Division shops made it a risk to public safety and financially prohibitive to repair, maintain or move to a safer location. Though its striking presence will be missed, Council and Administration hope the public can understand why the tower must come down.

Most of Gravelbourg’s historic buildings date back to the 1920s. From the stunning Our Lady of the
Assumption cathedral to the majestic Court House (now the Town Office), the value of heritage is on full
display all over the town and is a key part of its appeal to tourists. Despite the love of these structures,
there is a limit to the capacity of ratepayers and the generosity of donors to preserve landmarks. Gravelbourg’s 1915 Western grain elevator is the oldest of its kind still in its original location but saving
this beloved prairie structure hasn’t been easy. After 30 years of dedicated fundraising and grant
submissions, the elevator is only now in the final stages of restoration and preservation.

Residents and visitors were encouraged to share photos of the water tower on social media to “Toast the Tower” during its final days as part of the Gravelbourg skyline.

Photo Credit: Mona L Strauch Lorrain

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