Minister provides details of building demolitions

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today provided details about the $5.4 million allocated in Budget 2005 for the demolition of buildings. The buildings involved are the Grace Hospital in St. John�s, the former College of the North Atlantic (CNA) campus on Topsail Road in St John�s, the Old Mill Building near Come by Chance and the former cottage hospital in Harbour Breton.

Minister Rideout said, "With the allocation in Budget 2005, government plans to demolish a portion of the former Grace Hospital building. We plan to first do environmental remediation of the 1920s and 1950s portions of the Grace. This includes removing asbestos. We will then carry out a demolition of these portions of the building. By doing this, we eliminate the heating costs associated with the structure.

"The future of the remaining portion of the Grace is still under review. Government is consulting with affected stakeholders and details will be announced as they become available."

The former CNA campus is a facility that is part of a larger block of land owned by government. The building contains asbestos and mold. "Once the asbestos and mold are removed, we plan to demolish this structure," said the minister.

Government will also demolish the Old Mill Building near Come By Chance. Minister Rideout said, "In the past, government has received requests from the Town of Come By Chance regarding their concerns with the facility and public safety. Government has heard their concerns and is responding accordingly."

Government will also demolish the former cottage hospital in Harbour Breton. That town has also cited concerns with the safety of the public. "There is some asbestos and lead paint that will be removed, prior to demolition," said the minister.

"The buildings, or portions of buildings, that will be demolished are not economically viable for re-use," said Minister Rideout. "In demolishing these structures, the safety of the general public and the protection of our environment is of utmost priority for our government. We will continue to address these concerns."

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3015, 690-8403

2005 03 28                                 12:25 p.m.