It was a historic moment.
The last step in the 142 staircase to the top of the Humboldt Water Tower was put in on August 12.
It was a landmark occasion for the Humboldt Water Tower committee, which has been working on restoring the water tower since 1997.
"It started in the late 1990s with the Save the Water Tower Campaign," said Dan Steiner, one of the committee members.
The water tower was scheduled for demolition in 1997, but the committee fought to restore the unique 80-foot standpipe water reservoir.
So far the committee has completed a lot of the restoration work, including reinforcing the foundation, stabilizing the roof structure, re-shingling the roof, restoring the exterior siding and windows and building a staircase to access a maintenance tunnel beneath the water tank.
The first step for the spiral staircase inside the tank was installedin 2006.
The staircase, designed by Cochrane Engineering in Saskatoon, will allow visitors to climb up to the outside catwalk, which will offer a 360° view of the city and surrounding area.
To finance the staircase, the committee is selling the steps for $500.
"On the face of the steps, we will put a plaque - not necessarily with the name of the donor, but whatever the donor wants on the plaque," said Steiner.
They also hold an annual cream can dinner in the fall and a pancake breakfast in July each year to help raise money for the restoration.
Although the last step in the staircase was put in, the committee has more plans for the water tower.
"We still have a lot to do," said Steiner.
In fact, the volunteers are currently working on the railing for the staircase.
The committee has a goal in mind for when the tower should be open to the public.
"We have to have it open by its 100th anniversary in 2015 or sooner," said Steiner.
