Gravelbourg Says Goodbye to its 1928 Water Tower

Gravelbourg, SK—For 96 years the water tower has been a beacon of home for the residents of Gravelbourg. At over 150 feet, the Tower is the tallest structure in the town of 1000 and is visible from the east or west for several kilometers. Thanks to Investing in Canada’s Infrastructure Program (ICIP) funding from the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, the town can go forward with a major infrastructure project focused on replacing its aging and outdated water mains. This funding includes the dismantling and decommissioning of the iconic water tower.

The Town of Gravelbourg announced that work to decommission and dismantle the 1928 water tower is scheduled to begin on August 19 for completion before the start of the school year. Due to ongoing leaks and other issues, the tower has been out of service since late 2022 and is 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 make 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.

“We can’t save them all.” –resident, June 27 Water Tower Public Information Session.

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 are encouraged to share photos of the structure on social media to “Toast the Tower” during its final days as part of the Gravelbourg skyline.

For detailed information and updates on the water tower and Gravelbourg’s infrastructure project, please visit the Watermain Project page.