It is an important part of Humboldt's heritage.
Norman Duerr and Dan Steiner of the Water Tower Committee asked Humboldt City Council for financial help at a regular meeting of Council on January 28.
"We come today to you with hat in hand, our beggar's bowl, asking for continued help," smiled Duerr.
Duerr explained the water tower is a very important part of Humboldt's history and heritage.
"We acknowledge this council receives many requests for funding," said Duerr. "I know that infrastructure is prime and important and I know you have to make difficult decisions on where you spend your money."
He said preserving built heritage, like the water tower, is important, as there are too many historic buildings being demolished in recent years.
"Unfortunately, when it comes to built heritage, that is often the case," said Duerr. "When things are gone, people come out of the woodwork and say, 'we are really sorry we lost that'."
Culture is a big piece of what makes a community, he noted.
"I believe culture and heritage are the soul of the community," said Duerr. "The infrastructure is the body of the community. "
Duerr and Steiner were asking for council's help to fund the rest of the renovations needed to open the water tower for tours.
They need help completing the railing of the staircase, bringing the railing on the catwalk up to code, redoing the siding, installing windows, refurbishing the walls and ceiling in the annex and link and lighting the staircase.
"Everything that can be done by volunteers is done by volunteers," said Steiner.
The volunteers have done most of the work on the water tower, including constructing a 143 step staircase on the inside of the tank.
"Our main guy, who does our steel work, is unfortunately going to be laid up with getting some new knees," said Steiner. "We are all getting really old and we feel this shouldn't be a death sentence for the water tower."
It has been taking the committee a long time to get the work completed, partially due to lack of funds, which is why they decided to ask Council for help.
They would also like to create an interpretive centre inside the annex for visitors.
"I think one of the most important things to do is develop an interpretive centre inside the annex, so when people come they have a sense of the history of the tower and what it meant to the town and city," said Steiner. "I have done many tours and it never ceases to amaze me the enthusiasm of the people who come."
The committee estimates it should cost about $150,000 to finish all the work needed by 2015.
"The reason we would like to see it completed by 2015 is because that is when the water tower will be 100 years old and we would like to see some sort of grand opening event then," said Duerr.
Council is taking their request under consideration for this year's budget.
