Former community health building to be demolished

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Sunny South News

Demolition work began Nov. 26 on the former Alberta Health Services (AHS) community health building, located in Coaldale at 2012 18 Street.

AHS vacated the 40-year-old building three years ago due to structural issues. Furt-her analysis determined the building could not be repaired. Local community health s-ervices were moved to the Coaldale Health Centre.

Inspection of the former community health building determined asbestos was present in some of the construction materials. A remediation company has been contracted to safely remove the materials prior to demolition.

“It is common for asbestos to be present in many older buildings in North America,” said Dr. Karin Goodison, medical officer of health for AHS South Zone.

“If asbestos fibres stay enclosed or tightly bound in a product, and it is removed
using proper protocols, there is no health risk to the public.”

The asbestos removal will take about three weeks to complete and demolition work
will follow with a completion date of March 2016. The total cost is estimated at
$324,000.

Homeowners living near the site are being notified about the demolition via
hand-delivered mail.

The land, owned by AHS, will be sold after the building is demolished.