(Humboldt and District Museum and Gallery/Facebook)

By Cam Lee

Humboldt water tower

Humboldt Council gives green light to pursue Provincial Heritage Property designation for water tower

Nov 3, 2025 | 4:58 PM

An iconic structure in Humboldt could soon receive even more prestige.

City council has approved a recommendation by the Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee to nominate the Humboldt Water Tower for designation as a Provincial Heritage Property.

Director of Cultural Services Jennifer Fitzpatrick told northeastNOW that residents and stakeholders realize the importance of the structure to Humboldt.

She said the tower has had thousands of hours of volunteer support throughout the years, and it is now a valued tourist attraction.

“To move to provincial designation really gives it another level of awareness, and that’s really what we’re looking for, to really let all of Saskatchewan know about how fantastic this water tower is,” Fitzpatrick said.

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The lighthouse-style water tower is one of just four built across the province. When the tower ceased being used for its original purpose in the 1970s, there was some question as to what would be done with the structure. Fitzpatrick said volunteers decided to build an internal staircase inside the large tank, and an observation deck was also constructed at the top for people to enjoy the view of the city.

Fitzpatrick said the success of the water tower as a tourist attraction, and its overall appeal, proves how important it is to preserve historical structures.

“The best way to conserve them, in my estimation, is to give them a new use.”

The passion and ingenuity of volunteers who converted the water tower would be honoured through the Provincial Heritage Property designation, according to Fitzpatrick. The water tower was designated as a Municipal Heritage Property in 2002, which, according to her report to Council, gave regulatory control of the structure to the municipality.

Fitzpatrick said they now need to convince the provincial panel that the structure has provincial significance. The largest change for the iconic structure should the provincial designation be awarded would be that any alteration to character-defining elements would need an alteration permit from the province. She said the Heritage Resources branch works well with building owners with their experience in having the Humboldt Museum building designated as a Provincial Heritage Property.

“The primary driver for the designation of the tower would be marketing and public awareness,” Fitzpatrick’s report to council stated. “This would begin with a community event commemorating the designation and subsequent promotion by the branch.”

The process to create and submit a nomination package is now underway, and Fitzpatrick encourages public feedback on what the water tower means to them.

“We’re looking at possibly having some decision making and hopefully a party in 2026.”

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com