INNISFAIL - The once promising dream of restoring and preserving the historic Sinclair home is facing an increasingly insurmountable race against time.
The Sinclair home, constructed more than 125 years ago, was the pioneer home of Isabella (Bella) Sinclair, the first Caucasian female to settle in Central Alberta. Local historians consider the structure as a critically important artifact to tell the full story of the important role pioneer women played in the earliest years of Central Alberta settlement.
The two-storey, 1,400-square-foot log house, now located on a farm eight kilometres west of Innisfail, was destined last year to have a permanent home at the Innisfail and District Historical Village, where it would be placed in time for Canada's 150th birthday. When the structure is fully restored, the plan is to showcase Sinclair family artifacts, as well as others from pioneer women, and possibly be used in the future, like the Kemp House, as a meeting place for local non-profit groups and for village programming.
However, the Innisfail and District Historical Society is facing a huge funding issue that is needed to save the historic structure. The transportation cost to move it is covered, but the structure can't be placed on the village site until additional funding is secured to construct a foundation and to immediately repair the deteriorating roof, which would at least give it a presentable appearance this year until there are additional future monies to complete restoration.
"The roof is not secure. If we could bring it in and get it that far that would be a great move forward for us. This is a one-time thing to bring this house in," said Lawrence Gould, treasurer of the society.
Gould said it would cost about $40,000 for the foundation and roof repairs. They have $17,000 from a provincial government restoration grant but must raise another $23,000, in part to satisfy a grant dollar for dollar matching requirement and to complete the necessary work. However, if they don't raise it by Feb. 17 the society faces the possibility of losing the provincial grant.
"Time is not on our side or the building's side," said Anna Lenters, president of the society. "Because we are seeing, even in the last year when we have gone out to visit, indicators that Mother Nature is taking over."
For almost two years the society has worked to acquire the Sinclair home that now sits on property owned by the family of John Thomson, who at the age of 83 now resides in Innisfail. Thomson has pledged to cover the cost of moving the Sinclair home from the family farm to the historical village. He is hoping local citizens and groups will step up to the plate to provide the society with the urgently needed additional funding.
"If they could find a few other donors around that could kick in some money, that could be a big help," said Thomson, adding he may try to contact members of the Sinclair family. "I was waiting to have something to show them before we had a Sinclair reunion, but we have a few (family) contacts that we can follow up on if it comes to that."
As for the society's ability to fundraise, board members said they are challenged by the poor economy and finding the right people to take action.
"In this economy everybody is busy and nobody really wants to talk about funding anything," said Gould.
He said the society has the option to seek a grant deadline extension and the board will soon contact the province to explore that option. However, Gould conceded that with only a little over five weeks to go before the Feb. 17 deadline, chances to save the Sinclair home are not looking good.
"It looks very grim," said Gould. "We would like to think we have not totally given up. The thing is time is of the essence."
If any citizen or organization has ideas that could help the society in its efforts to save the Sinclair home, give Gould a call at 403-227-1883 or Lenters at 403-865-3736.
Anna Lenters, president ot the Innisfail and District Historical Society
"Time is not on our side or the building's side. Because we are seeing, even in the last year when we have gone out to visit, indicators that Mother Nature is taking over."
