‘Stay tuned’: Meadow Lake’s old City Hall one step closer to becoming wellness market

Since then, much of the work has involved stripping the building back to its bones.

“The first few months, we did a lot of demolition,” Voth said. “We pulled out a lot of walls, ceilings, flooring, all you know, offices, all sorts of things.”

As that work progressed, she said the building began revealing clues about its earlier life.

“I feel like the building started telling the story, like more like a post office, 1938 post office story,” she said.

A screenshot of the Heritage Redeemed Facebook page, where Jennifer and Dwayne Voth share updates on the restoration of Meadow Lake’s former City Hall and the discoveries uncovered during the renovation process. (Image Credit: Heritage Redeemed/Facebook)

Among the discoveries were original crown moulding, paint colours and building materials that had long been hidden from view. The family also uncovered a door frame between the original 1938 structure and a later addition built in 1954.

“We found a door frame that would have been like the original loading docks for the post office,” Voth said.

Another discovery was the building’s original brick chimney, which had been covered over during later renovations.

The findings have also sparked conversations with residents who remember the building from earlier chapters in its history.

“We’ve been posting on our Heritage Redeemed page, and then people will come and tell the stories and explain more of what it was like,” Voth said. “So it’s pretty cool to have that connection with the community.”

Today, the focus is shifting toward rebuilding.

Voth said nearly all of the main-floor windows have been replaced, marking what she sees as the project’s transition from demolition to construction.

There is still significant work ahead, including framing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, flooring and ceilings.

The family is not yet ready to announce an opening date.

“We do have a goal, but time will tell. Stay tuned,” Voth said.

The renovation is being completed largely during evenings and weekends while the family continues operating its businesses and balancing everyday responsibilities.

“We’d like to be there more, but sometimes things with the family come up, and it kind of changes the timeline a little bit, but we’re doing our best.”

The family has not been working alone.

Friends and relatives have stepped in at various stages of the project, helping remove ceilings, install windows and tackle other labour-intensive jobs.

“We had some guys show up to help with that, and we really appreciated that. That was really, really meant a lot,” Voth said.

She said Dwayne’s 86-year-old father has also volunteered countless hours on the project.

The long-term vision for the building remains largely unchanged.

The main floor will house an expanded version of Abundant Living, featuring health foods, natural wellness products, locally made artisan goods and a small cafe offering coffee, smoothies and baking. The upper floor is still intended for office space, while plans for the basement have yet to be finalized.

“I wanted it to feel like a wellness market,” Voth said of the main floor.

The project also carries personal meaning for her. In recent months, she has spent many weekends restoring furniture that will eventually fill the space, including pieces inherited from both of her grandmothers.

As work continues, Voth said her focus remains on creating a space where people feel connected to both the building and the community around it.

“The biggest thing is, I hope that when they walk in, that they feel like they can exhale, and they can feel welcome and cared for, and connected to their community,” she said.

“I really hope that it becomes something that draws people to Meadow Lake, that becomes something that even helps tourism… like the whole economy of Meadow Lake, and the infrastructure of the town.”

“So I’m really hopeful that this will be a big contribution to the future of Meadow Lake.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

‘Stay tuned’: Meadow Lake’s old City Hall one step closer to becoming wellness market

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