(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Historic post office

Council approves lease of Historic Post Office main floor for arts and culture hub

Sep 9, 2025 | 10:30 AM

The Historic Post Office in Melfort will soon have a new tenant.

At Monday’s meeting, Council approved the lease of the main floor of the building to the Melfort Arts Council, Melfort Youth Evolution, and Youth Matter Canada as they look to develop the space as an arts and culture hub.

The lease is for a term of three years at $1 per year, with a 75 per cent/25 per cent lessor/lessee shared revenue model. Council established the Melfort Arts and Culture Hub Working Group last May and approved the terms of reference for the committee.

“The three partner organizations are proposing a revenue sharing model to reduce the financial burden on the City of Melfort and contribute meaningfully to the building’s operational stability,” Director of Community Services Rob Lok said in his report to council.

Facility booking will be the responsibility of the three partner organizations, and they have proposed a rental fee structure, while the city will be responsible for utility costs, maintenance, and capital improvements.

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“Activation of the main floor of the Historic Post Office as an arts and culture hub will result in an increase in utilities and potential maintenance due to the presence of more people inside the building,” Lok said in his report. “Utility and maintenance costs will be monitored by administration, and if required, requests for additional operating funds will be included in future budget cycles.”

Lok said in the report the proposal represents an opportunity to activate the vacant Historic Post Office, and the space will become more visible, accessible, and welcoming to the broader community. He added it may also encourage local non-profits and other groups to use the facility to further strengthen its role as a community hub for arts and culture.

There were some concerns voiced by one member of council.

Councillor Seth MacNaughton said at Monday’s council meeting that he’s heard public concern about more spending on the over century-old building. He was also concerned about the contract and the cost of the facility. MacNaughton would be more supportive of the idea even if it were revenue-neutral, but he doesn’t anticipate that will be the case for the proposal from the three organizations. However, MacNaughton also said he hoped the groups would ‘prove him wrong’.

Last month, Council also approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the Historic Post Office Advocacy Group and the City of Melfort to establish a relationship for preserving and restoring the Historic Post Office.

Also at last night’s meeting, Council approved the revision to the Community Sport Facility to allow the Melfort Golf and Country Club course irrigation infrastructure to be eligible for grant consideration. The course’s irrigation system is past its expected lifespan, and it could cost up to $1.5 million to replace. Councillor Trent Mitchell said at the meeting the policy is in place to support sport facilities not run by the City, including the golf course and curling club. He said it made sense to make the revision, adding the irrigation system is crucial for any golf course.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com