Welland Central Fire Station is one; Public can vote to save their favourite historic places from April 18 to May 6
OTTAWA — Canada’s historic places highlight our history, culture and stories and are the foundation of strong communities. On Wednesday, the National Trust for Canada announced the 12 finalists for the Next Great Save competition, which empowers communities to save heritage places.
In the Next Great Save, heritage advocates from coast-to-coast make a case for their project that will help to protect, adapt, renew or improve Canada’s historic places – and win a cash prize to make their project a reality.
Finalists were selected based on the team’s ability to save their historic place and address current issues like climate change, diversity and inclusion, along with the contributions they make to their communities. The following competitors will be featured in public voting set to begin on April 18 and end on May 6 for the chance to win up to $65,000 in cash prizes:
- Cape Bear Lighthouse and Marconi Station – Murray Harbour, PE
- Cité-des-Hospitalières – Montréal, QC
- Greenly Island Houses – Blanc-Sablon, QC
- LaSalle Theatre – Kirkland Lake, ON
- Mon Keang School – Vancouver, BC
- Nanton Grain Elevator – Nanton, AB
- Old St. Thomas Church – Moose Factory, ON
- Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Church – Aguathuna, NL
- Roxy Theatre – Coleman, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, AB
- St. Andrew’s Lodge – Qualicum Beach, BC
- St. John’s Centre for the Arts – Arichat, NS
- Welland Central Fire Station – Welland, ON
With generous sponsorship from Ecclesiastical Insurance, the first-place winner will receive a $50,000 cash prize while the second and third place winners will receive $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.
Central Station Education Initiative Board and volunteers are thrilled that the Central Fire Hall in the City of Welland was one of 12 buildings across Canada chosen by the National Trust to have an opportunity to win $50,000 in the Next Great Save Contest, said Claire Masswohl, board vice-chair and building chair,
“Welland residents are a competitive tight-knit community that will step up to the plate and help us win this money to continue the renovations by voting every day from April 18th to May 6th. Tell your friends and relatives to do this. We want this money in Welland.
“Lets show Canada what Wellanders can do. You can get voters from across the world to vote. I personally will have voters from India, Chili, Germany, Quebec, Ottawa and Vancouver so far. VOTE ONCE EVERY DAY when the link comes out after April 18th until May 6,”
Noting that last year’s winner had 79,000 votes, Masswohl said, “We can do better!”
Heritage places are vital in building sustainable communities and creating a sense of belonging. The Next Great Save empowers communities to tell the diverse stories of Canada and helps save and renew these important historic sites. Through this competition along with other preservation efforts, the National Trust has supported 932 non-profits working in heritage to grow their capacity in fundraising, business planning, marketing and tourism by providing coaching, tools and resources.
“Heritage conservation is about meeting the needs of communities today and tomorrow, not just preserving something that existed in the past. These projects demonstrate how heritage can enhance communities by supporting economic development, community gathering, entertainment, and education. Each is led by a passionate group who care deeply about the future of their historic place and community,” said Dr. Patricia Kell, Executive Director of the National Trust. “Through this competition, we help extend the life of these valued heritage places, and raise awareness of the social, environmental, economic and well-being benefits that they generate. I encourage everyone to get involved by voting in the Next Great Save.”
“This is an exciting way to raise awareness of great historical places across Canada,” said David Huebel, President, Ecclesiastical Insurance. “The Next Great Save competition will support a deserving project and give new life to a worthy heritage place in our community.”
Each participating site will be mounting a campaign to encourage their community, supporters and advocates to vote for their projects. Online voting opens on April 18 at 12 p.m. EDT and members of the public can vote once a day at www.nextgreatsave.ca. Voting will officially close on May 6 at 7 p.m. EDT and the winner and two runners-up will be announced on May 7.
Quick Facts
- Since 2015, the National Trust has delivered some $13 million to support the conservation of historic buildings and cultural landscapes and employment opportunities at historic sites across the country.
- Since 2015, the National Trust’s conferences have inspired and educated more than 5000 people with industry-leading conversations.
- The National Trust has helped save and improve the outlook for 54 endangered places for nearly two decades impacting the 17.3 million Canadians living in these 37 distinct regions across the country.
About the National Trust for Canada
Created in 1973, the National Trust for Canada is the leading national charity dedicated to the conservation of Canada’s historic places. The Trust believes that heritage places and older buildings are integral to solving community challenges and meeting contemporary needs, including climate resilience, diversity and inclusion, identity and sense of place, and community wellbeing.
About Ecclesiastical Insurance
Ecclesiastical Insurance is an award-winning commercial insurance company and a proud part of the Benefact Group – a charity owned, international family of financial service companies that gives all available profits to charity and good causes. Ecclesiastical provides specialist insurance solutions to the arts, culture and heritage community, faith organizations, retirement living, educational institutions, registered charities, and non-profit organizations, protecting Canada’s historic places, both large and small, with regional offices in Dartmouth, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.
(Attribution: news release; local comment added)
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Thank you so much Joe. I am sending this out to everyone.
Always so professionally done. Thanks for your continued support.
Claire Masswohl, Central Station Education Initiative, Building Cha