The National Trust Announces 12 Finalists in the Next Great Save Competition

Public voting is open from March 31 to April 17 to renew heritage sites

OTTAWA, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– Today, the National Trust for Canada announced the 12 finalists for the 2025 Next Great Save, a national competition that empowers communities to protect, adapt, renew and improve historic places. Each finalist will compete for public votes and the chance to win up to $65,000 in cash prizes to address urgent restoration and renewal needs.

Historic places tell the story of Canada’s past while shaping its future. However, many heritage sites face severe threats due to development pressures, extreme weather and funding challenges. Over a generation, Canada lost more than 20 per cent of its pre-1920 historic places, with many more at risk. The Next Great Save raises awareness about heritage conservation and provides direct funding to support the resilience of sites, ensuring they remain vibrant for future generations.

“The high number of applicants for this year’s competition reflects the increasing need for heritage conservation funding,” said Dr. Patricia Kell, CEO of the National Trust for Canada. “This competition helps communities take action, giving them the resources they need to restore and reimagine the places that matter most. By supporting these projects, we’re ensuring that Canada’s heritage continues to be a driving force for community well-being, economic development and sustainability.”

Meet the 2025 Finalists

From a historic theatre to a 19^th-century ranch, this year’s finalists are all cultural landmarks in Canada’s rich history. The finalists have proposed innovative projects to transform historic places to better serve their modern communities, including initiatives to advance belonging, public engagement, and climate adaptation:

• Battle Harbour Marconi Towers – Battle Harbour, NL
• Dove Brook Church – Dove Brook, NunatuKavut, NL
• Empyrean Cemetery – Wildwood, AB
• Historic O’Keefe Ranch – Vernon, BC
• Hourie House – Portage la Prairie, MB
• Maison Doucet Hennessy House – Bathurst, NB
• Sharon Assembly Church – Yarmouth, NS
• St. Mark’s Heritage Church – Port de Grave, NL
• St. Sylvester’s Church – Nipigon, ON
• Tam Kung Temple – Victoria, BC
• The Grand Theatre – Indian Head, SK
• Willowbank School of Restoration Arts – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Thanks to a generous sponsorship from Ecclesiastical Insurance, the first-place winner will receive a $50,000 cash prize, while the second- and third-place winners will receive $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, based on voting by the public.

Previous Winners Making an Impact

Now in its third year, the Next Great Save has already helped communities breathe new life into historic sites:

• 2024 Winner: Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Church (Port au Port, NL) – the competition’s funding helped repaint the exterior of the church, leading to a subsequent $277,000 grant for further restoration and an increase in visitors.
• 2023 Winner: Duncan Train Station (Duncan, BC) – by upgrading outdated systems, the station cut greenhouse gas emissions and achieved 73 per cent energy savings, demonstrating how heritage conservation can help solve contemporary challenges and enhance climate resilience.

“The Next Great Save leaves a lasting impact,” said David Huebel, President of Ecclesiastical Insurance. “The competition brings communities together over a shared passion for the spaces and places that define their local identity, support their culture and sense of belonging, and honour their past. We are proud to support the National Trust in preserving Canada’s historic places and empowering the communities that cherish them.”

Every Vote Matters: Help Make the Next Great Save

Each finalist will be leading a grassroots campaign to make a case for their project and mobilize their communities in support of its unique history. Members of the public can vote once a day starting March 31 at 1 p.m. ET at www.nextgreatsave.ca. Voting will close on April 17 at 1 p.m. ET and the winner and two runners-up will be announced the same day.

Quick Facts

Last year the National Trust for Canada advanced heritage in Canada by:

• Engaging 645,505 Canadians in heritage through various programs and activities
• Providing training and on-the-job experience to 1,271 heritage workers and volunteers
• Supporting 366 emerging professionals, Indigenous practitioners and students through funding
• Strengthening over 835 heritage places nationwide

About the National Trust for Canada

Created in 1973, the National Trust for Canada is the leading national charity dedicated to the conservation and promotion of Canada’s historic sites. The Trust believes that heritage places are a catalyst for sustainable, livable, lovable communities. Heritage conservation addresses the needs of communities today by fostering identity and sense of place, driving economic activity, enhancing belonging, supporting climate resilience, and promoting well-being.

About Ecclesiastical Insurance

Ecclesiastical Insurance is an award-winning commercial insurance company and a proud part of the Benefact Group – a charity owned, international family of financial service companies that gives all available profits to charity and good causes. Ecclesiastical provides specialist insurance solutions to the arts, culture and heritage community, faith organizations, retirement living, educational institutions, registered charities, and non-profit organizations, protecting Canada’s historic places, both large and small, with regional offices in Dartmouth, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.

Contacts

Maxine Bullock
Kaiser & Partners
Maxine.Bullock@kaiserpartners.com
647.460.5990