Mile 0 Park is a tourism and recreation fixture in the City of Dawson Creek and a popular park attraction is the Walter Wright Pioneer Village, a heritage site that explores the history of the early pioneers who settled in the area during World War II.
In the spring of 2023, the South Peace Mile 0 Park Society successfully applied for and received a $94,815 to provide new roofs for five buildings in the Village: Taylor House, Dawson Creek School, Harper General Store and Boundary United Church.
It was determined that many of the cedar shingle roofs in the Pioneer Village were degrading and given the changing climate and increased risk of wildfires, the optimum roofing material is metal. Metal roofing materials that resemble era appropriate shingles were used and will last upwards of 75 years.
The roofing project is key to preserving tourism assets and improving the vibrancy of the village and the overall visitor experience at the Mile 0 Park.
“NDIT funding for this project helped turn an idea into reality. The dollars provided enabled us to leverage our own funding and in-kind donations in order to re-roof a number of historic and replica buildings at the Walter Wright Pioneer Village,” said Alex Reschny, president, South Peace Mile 0 Park Society. “This project will protect these buildings from the elements for another 75 years. Being able to do this project will reduce maintenance costs in the future and allow next generations to step back in time and experience what it was like to homestead in the Peace.”
