Council will vote on whether to approve roof replacements and the leasing of the main floor at the Historic Post Office. (File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Historic post office

Melfort council to vote on Historic Post Office roof replacement, main floor lease

Mar 31, 2025 | 11:45 AM

Editor’s Note: The original article indicated council would vote on the recommendations Apr. 7. Council will not vote on the proposals that day; rather at a ‘future council meeting’.

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City Council in Melfort has two decisions to make regarding the Historic Post Office.

Administration made a pair of recommendations at the governance and priorities committee meeting March 26.

The Community Services report indicated that Group2 Architecture prepared the construction drawings for the replacement of the three flat roofs on the Historic Post Office.

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During the 2025 budget deliberations, administration introduced the capital expenditure request to fix the roofs. Council asked administration to bring the request back to them for final approval once the design drawings were finished. The approved capital budget for the replacement would be $500,000.

The report outlined the work needed for the three roofs. The existing roof membranes and insulation need to be removed, the roof decking needs to be repaired as required, and new insulation and membrane would be installed. In addition, repairs and modifications need to be made to the second-floor parapet to allow the membrane to be installed, and the attic access to the third-floor roof needs to be widened.

“The roof replacement is estimated at $300,000,” the report stated. “This estimate does not include PST, engineering, or contingency. Actual construction costs will be determined by a tender bid from a qualified contractor.” The report suggested the volatility in the market due to labour resources and material supply chain considerations could lead to the costs varying by as much as 25 per cent.

The other recommendation to council will be for them to authorize the lease of the main floor of the Historic Post Office to the Melfort Arts Council for five years, subject to the completion of the roof repairs. The lease payment is one dollar per year, and the city is responsible for the gas, electric, and water utility payments.

The Melfort Arts Council, Youth Matter Canada, and Melfort Youth Evolution approached council last spring to request turning the Historic Post Office into an arts and cultural hub in Melfort. A working group was then struck to determine what would be required to make that happen.

The Melfort Arts Council and members of the Christmas Castle group have met to see if they can work together on the ongoing preservation and restoration at the facility. They have formed the Historic Post Office Advocacy Group and have provided a 10-year plan for restoring and preserving the building.

“The City of Melfort will continue to engage with the Advocacy Group as plans for restoration and preservation become more finalized and fundraising efforts become more focused,” the report said.

Council will vote whether to approve the tendering of the roof replacement project and the lease of the main floor to the Melfort Arts Council at a future council meeting.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com