$2 MILLION CONTRIBUTED TO CONSERVATION OF CLAYBANK BRICK PLANT

Released on April 9, 1999

Secretary of State (Parks) Andy Mitchell, Saskatchewan Municipal

Affairs, Culture and Housing Minister Carol Teichrob and Saskatchewan

Heritage Foundation President Bill Hutchinson today announced a cost

sharing agreement that will contribute $2 million to the conservation

and presentation of the Claybank Brick Plant historic site, near

Avonlea, Saskatchewan.



"The Government of Canada is proud to provide financial support for

this important heritage resource," Mitchell said. "This funding will

ensure that the Claybank Brick Plant is conserved and presented as an

example of industrial history in Canada."



"The Claybank Brick Plant is a unique example of the industrial

heritage of our province and nation," Teichrob said. "We welcome this

opportunity to work with the Federal Government, the Saskatchewan

Heritage Foundation and the Claybank Brick Plant Historical Society to

preserve and protect this important heritage and tourism resource."



"The Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation, in co-operation with its

federal, provincial and local partners, will continue to be a

responsible steward of this historically important industrial heritage

site," Hutchinson said. "With this joint funding, the Foundation will

be able to continue and expand our program of restoration development

and interpretation."



A visitor centre will be developed in the bunkhouse building on the

site as part of an enhanced visitor program of exhibits, tours and

publications. Conservation work will include new roofs on several

buildings, brickwork repair and structural repair of kilns and

smokestacks. Parks Canada and the Saskatchewan Heritage

Foundation will each contribute $954,500 over five years. In

1997, Parks Canada provided $45,500 in emergency funding to the

site after storm damage.



The Claybank Brick Plant is Canada's most complete example of an

early 20th century brick making complex. The plant was built in

1912-13 and operated until 1989. It includes a factory, several

kilns, bunkhouse and other buildings. The entire complex, a

model of functional layout and efficiency, has changed little

since the 1930s. It was designated a site of national historic

significance in 1994.



The Claybank plant specialized in producing heat-resistant,

refractory brick and its products were used extensively in the

Prairie provinces and beyond. Brick from Claybank was used in

such prestigious projects as the Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon

and additions to the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City.



The Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation obtained the plant in 1992

and is preserving it with the co-operation of the Claybank Brick

Plant Historical Society.

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For more information, contact:



Jim Masyk Bill Hutchinson

Parks Canada Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation

Phone:(306) 298-2257 Phone: (306) 522-6668



Patrick Hall

Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing

Phone: (306) 787-0689



Available on the Internet at: http://www.pch.gc.ca