Roof replacement project begins at Historic Post Office in Melfort

“Once the [crew is] working on the roofs on the second floor I think the sidewalk should be back open.”

Lok called the building an iconic fixture in the downtown core.

“It’s great to see that it’s getting repaired and preserved,” said Lok.

All three flat roofs were leaking and causing water to get into the facility. Lok said the drains were no longer functioning properly and that was leading to water infiltration.

The list of work done to the post office over the past decade or so is extensive. The outer paint on the structure, built in 1912, took place in 2015 as the paint was leading to brick damage due to moisture buildup. One major project was the window replacement that happened in 2019, with much of the cost covered by a grant from the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation. The inside has also had some work done, with asbestos and lead paint abatement.

Lok said there is a huge list of upgrades that could still be done to the more than century old building.

“There is a long list of repairs and upgrades that could be done from full overhauls of the mechanical and electrical systems, interior refinishing of floors, walls, and ceilings, to the potential re-activation of the [second and third] floor spaces,” Lok said in an interview with northeastNOW in June.

A group looking to restore and preserve the building has been talking to the City about a 10-year plan for the historic building. The Melfort Arts Council and other groups had previously approached City Council about making the facility an arts and culture hub. Much of the talk about the future of the Historic Post Office was put on the back burner, however, while the leaking roofs were awaiting repair.

The roof replacement project is expected to be completed by the end of August.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

Roof replacement project begins at Historic Post Office in Melfort

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