WEYBURN – A scene that has been repeated all too often in Weyburn was in view on Monday and through this week – the demolition of Souris School.
This grand brick structure – which by the way was completely solid and in great shape, thanks in no small part to the renovations that cost taxpayers many dollars – was 112 years old, and could have lasted for a much longer time.
On a personal note, all four of our children attended there, even though we lived way up on Prairie Avenue. The weird location of our school was due to the closure of another school, Elgin, which was never torn down but was sold and has been in use ever since.
When Elgin closed, those in the school’s attendance area (which included us) were then told to board a bus and attend Souris on the South Hill.
The school had lots of character, although it wasn’t very accommodating for anyone in a wheelchair or otherwise had mobility issues.
There were many memories there for us and for our kids, including the Grade 6 end-of-year celebrations, the parent-teacher nights, the book fair nights, and the concerts at Christmas and at the end of the year.
The reading program was an important one, and I recall images of my middle daughter, Deborah, sitting on the steps and reading – and she read voraciously, I think every book at her level and above that she could get.
Another memory, which is perhaps not as school-related, is that of my oldest daughter Elizabeth, who on a number of occasions went up on the roof of the school with friends. I guess that won’t be happening any more, as the roof and everything else is now gone.
The family fun nights in the school yard, with barbecues and games, was also a fond memory from that school, as was the startup of the nutrition program, which happened after our kids had long gone to the junior high and the Comp.
The sad thing is, I’ve photographed the demolition of many historic buildings in Weyburn, including the former Souris Valley, Haig, Queen Elizabeth and other places. It’s just sad to see.
