The Land of Living Stories series by CBCexplores Saskatchewan’s hidden gems. Journalist Janani Whitfield embarked on a journey to Gravelbourg to uncover tales of community unity. This installment marks the second part of a four-part series centered on Gravelbourg.
Maria Lepage, overseeing a historic B&B, gazes out at the school and convent of her childhood. Once brimming with life and joy, the buildings now stand deserted for nearly ten years.
Gravelbourg, a town of fewer than 1,000 residents located roughly 150 kilometers southwest of Regina, features a prominent 90,000-square-foot structure at its entrance. The looming edifice poses questions about its future in this charming town known as “A Touch of Europe on the Prairies.”
Currently, this vast building is available for acquisition by individuals with viable plans to revitalize it into a sustainable project.
Expressing her attachment to the site, Lepage remarked, “It holds great significance for me. I believe we possess a gem in our community, and this is one of them.… People often underestimate the value of our assets here in Gravelbourg.”
The mere suggestion of demolishing this historic landmark deeply pains her.
A Western French Enclave
Upon the arrival of French settlers in the vicinity of present-day Gravelbourg, they swiftly erected enduring brick structures that lend the town its vintage charm.
The convent, established in 1917, along with the town’s renowned cathedral and bishop’s palace (now Lepage’s B&B), were constructed in the same period and vicinity.
These three structures, now recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada, were designed to position Gravelbourg as a prominent French hub in the West. At one point, the institution hosted up to 600 students.
Following the closure of the convent and the relocation of students to a new educational facility, the town assumed responsibility for the basic upkeep of the old convent in 2016. However, maintaining its functionality and warmth for occasional rentals proved financially unsustainable.
“The financial analysis revealed that the maintenance costs were excessively burdensome,” explained Ariel Haug, the economic development officer for the Town of Gravelbourg.
Over the past couple of years, the town has been soliciting proposals from individuals interested in rejuvenating the convent.
While numerous ideas have been pitched, credible propositions have been scarce.
“I’ve received emails suggesting various concepts, such as casinos and, at one point, even a penitentiary proposal,” Haug shared, chuckling and shaking her head.