The Winnipegosis grain elevator was built in 1950, and it seems like 2020 could be the year we say goodbye to the local landmark.
That’s what we’re hearing from Dr. Gordon Goldsborough, President of the Manitoba Historical Society.
Goldsborough writes a weekly column about grain elevators, and says one of his sources recently informed him that the Winnipegosis grain elevator could be demolished this autumn.
“So I wrote back to them and said, ‘thank you very much, I’m pleased to have that information,’ and then about an hour or two later I get another email saying ‘oops, we weren’t supposed to tell anybody’.”
The president of the Manitoba Historical Society (MHS) says these older grain elevators are quite significant to folks living in Prairie communities — often having been around for most, if not all, of their lives.
The MHS estimates there are 130 grain elevators left in Manitoba, down from over 700 that used to be in province. Goldsborough adds that of the remaining 130 or so elevators, “we estimate that about half of them are unused. In other words, they’re standing there but it’s likely that in the near term they’re going to be gone too.”
“People often don’t appreciate what they have until it’s gone … they’re seeing all these elevators coming down and suddenly it’s starting to hit them that the Prairies are changing, I mean, the nature of agriculture is changing.”
According to the MHS, Manitoba is home to the oldest grain elevator in all of Canada — built in 1897, not far from Melita — which is rapidly deteriorating. Goldsborough says he is worried about its fate, and would like to see it preserved.
"A Bit Of A Surprise"
This speculation about the impending demolition of the Winnipegosis grain elevator comes as a bit of a surprise to the MHS, who for the past few years have been putting together a list of the ‘Top 10 buildings at risk’ around the province.
The elevator in Winnipegosis has not been featured on that list.
The MHS president and head researcher adds “we didn’t think it was likely to be demolished this soon. Unfortunately, I guess it’s a bit of a surprise.”
The Winnipegosis grain elevator is privately owned, and municipal staff were unable to confirm if, or when, the grain elevator will be demolished.
