by PAUL RAYNER

One of the first and most famous of Boissevain’s murals will stay where it is, at least for now.

The abandonment of the old fire hall, located along #10 Highway, was a blessing for the Fire Department and members of the Town of Boissevain crew, but was a concern for those on the Boissevain & Morton Arts Council. That is because the old structure is the home of the mural Green Meadows, which depicts the farm of Errick Willis, the former lieutenant governor of Manitoba. One of the first of Boissevain’s murals, the fear was it would be lost if and when the old structure was torn down. Other arrangements were being discussed from the time the new hall was being planned.

However, the rush now seems to be over. According to Mayor Ed Anderson, the group that held the option on the property, the neighboring Canadian Wilderness Inn, allowed it to lapse at the end of 2007.

“The agreement has expired,” Anderson stated, “so the plan is to leave it as is to preserve the mural as long as possible.”

He said Manitoba Highways has been renting the facility to store equipment, and it could continue to be used for that purpose for the foreseeable future. This year, they are looking to do a little upkeep, such as some painting and perhaps tearing off the back.

This does not mean that the property is not for sale. It is just that the Town is looking for someone to do something useful with it before they tamper with the mural.

“Because it is such valuable property on #10 Highway, it is important it does not just go to a parking lot. It would be better to leave the building as it is until someone is willing to build something, like a high level restaurant, on it that is good for the community.”

Wayne Pringle of the Arts Council was happy to hear the news. One of the ideas was to re-paint the artwork on the side of the new hall, located on Mountain Street. Pringle is happy to keep it where it is, at least for now.

“I personally feel the old location is better,” Pringle stated. “The other wall is good enough. It’s just that this one is on the highway, and it grabs people’s attention better.”

“The time will come where it will have to move, because sooner or later the building will go. But if you get another 3 or 4 years of it in that location, that would be great.”