The clock at city hall in downtown Moose Jaw underwent renovations during the summer, with work completed at the end of September.
Restoration began following a Heritage Advisory Committee recommendation and motion to City Council, with $55,400 allocated for the project.
During the Public Acknowledgements section of the Nov. 27th City Council Meeting, Councillor Crystal Froese recognized the work of Murray Rimmer and John Trodd in their efforts to restore the glass face and hands of the almost 110-year-old clock.
“It’s very intricate work. I would suggest that the expertise that they have is not what the average person has – they're kind of one-of-a-kind,” said Froese.
In all, 96 pieces of glass were taken from the clock faces. "They had to take a template and create every single piece of that glass – that's how intricate it was,” explained Froese. “Now we actually have a template for the clock tower’s glass, and they also refurbished the arms of the clock as well.”
The replacement pieces have a film coating which prevents them from being damaged by wildlife or weather conditions.
At the meeting, Councillor Crystal Froese and Mayor Clive Tolley, along with Heritage Advisory Committee vice chair Janie Fries and citizen-at-large Stella Richards, shook hands with Rimmer and Trodd in acknowledgement of their contributions.
The clock is called "Big Cliff" after the late Moose Javian Cliff Simpson. Simpson passed away in 2012 but was the clock's caretaker for over 20 years spanning from 1971-1993.
Now that the glass face and hands have been restored, the next project for the clock tower will be working to make the 800 lbs. bell function.
If you'd like to submit a request to have the clock tower lit up in a different colour in recognition of a particular day or event, you can make a submission (with 30 days' notice) to mayor@moosejaw.ca for consideration.
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