Painting has begun on the grain elevator in Sexsmith, seen on the right of the picture (Photo: Facebook / Sexsmith and District Chamber of Commerce)

By Curtis Galbraith

Wooden Giant

More work being done to restore Sexsmith elevator

Jun 10, 2020 | 7:28 PM

More work is being done to restore the old Alberta Wheat Pool elevator in Sexsmith.

Painting has started on the outside of the building after a new roof was put on last year.

Sexsmith and District Museum Society Director Florence Blais says prep work started last week and some painting got underway Tuesday.

“We’re also going to hopefully get the upper windows re-built and installed during this since they’re already up there with the chair swings. That is in the process as well.

“Hopefully, within the next month, we’ll be able to install the windows up there to keep the pigeons out to prepare for the next phase of the preservation.”

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

That will be cleaning out the inside. Blais says the next step, to come in 2022, would involve cleaning the grain dust and pigeon droppings from the inside.

“Due to the COVID-19 (pandemic) this year, our raffle and fund-raising events so far have been pushed to next year. We were hoping to schedule it possibly for next year, but it looks like it will be 2022.”

Blais says the painting will cost around $200,000, while the new roof added last yea, and the cleaning would cost around $150,000 each. Specialists have to be hired for the painting and the cleaning.

She adds there are plans for what it will be used for once this restoration project is done.

“It has all the fixtures still from the elevator, although they won’t be working they’re still part of the interior of the elevator, we’re going to have stories about how the elevator operated as well as stories from local farm groups, farming communities, and families in the area.”

Blais says the target to complete all the restoration work is 2024, or 2025 at the latest.

She adds it will take six-to-eight weeks to finish painting, depending on the weather. The Alberta Wheat Pool colours are being used.