(Submitted photo/Bevra Fee)

By Nigel Maxwell

Historic buildings

Future uncertain for Shellbrook CN rail station as critical vote approaches

Oct 6, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Despite what may be considered by a valiant effort by local community members to save the old CN rail station in Shellbrook, the end of the line may now be in sight.

A bylaw that would repeal the building’s heritage status passed second reading during Monday’s council meeting, and the third and final reading is expected during the next meeting in two weeks. Mayor Amund Otterson told paNOW council is determined to move slowly.

“We are doing it step-wise so the public has a chance to react,” he said.

Construction of the old rail station was completed in December 1909 and is one of the town’s earliest buildings. In 1988, the property was a designated Municipal Heritage Property and a group of dedicated volunteers have been helping to keep it running as a museum.

Following the anticipated third reading, one of the suggested plans is to sell the building to a local non-profit organization who would use it for artisan events and farmers markets.

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To provide the non-profit with enough time to become viable, the town offered a tax exemption for one year. While there has been some interest locally in taking over the building, the town has yet to receive a viable plan.

“‘I think the artisans in the community that I know of, and they are my cohorts so you have to consider they are older people, are not interested in any kind of permanent venture,” Otterson explained.

A photo of the rail station during its glory days. (Facebook/Bevra Fee)

The future of the old rail station was first discussed by paNOW in an article on April 13, 2020. At the time, then Mayor George Toporowski explained the $500,000 cost needed to refurbish the building was just no longer feasible for the community. Council then discussed tearing it down completely but the vote was put on hold as a number of various community members came forward with plans to save it. Otterson said he is sad to see the building go.

“It’s a hazard and so we need to either upgrade it, sell it, remove it, give it away, or something to eliminate that risk,” he said.

Another project being explored by the town currently is to move the neighbouring Rayside school to a new location off Highway 3 West, and become the town’s new visitor information centre.

It’s been suggested at prior meetings, that the important artifacts at the museum could possibly be moved there for display.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell