Fort Smith (June 23/03) - The demolition of old St. Anne's Hospital in Fort Smith is underway. The project to remove the environmental and fire hazard began early this month with a crew of 55 local workers.

Project coordinator Richard Power says the building "should be down in another three weeks to a month. Everything should be gone."

Only the concrete foundation will be left. Tests are underway on the best way to remove it and reclaim the land.

Built in 1952, the old hospital stood empty for about 15 years. It was last used as the Roman Catholic Church's Diocesan Religious Education Centre.

Asbestos, lead and PCBs have already been removed from the building. Some of the contaminants will be shipped for treatment in Alberta. The asbestos will be buried at the Fort Smith landfill.

The project manager is Robert Valleau, owner of Arctic Environmental Services in Yellowknife.

Valleau says the project is going according to plan. "We're on schedule and on budget, and the workforce is great."

All the funding is in place for the estimated $1.2-million project, including $750,000 from DIAND and $100,000 from Human Resources Development Canada. The overall cost includes in-kind contributions from a number of local organizations.

The old hospital is owned by Uncle Gabe's Friendship Centre, which purchased the building about a decade ago with plans to re-develop it.

Once the building is removed, Uncle Gabe's will sell the land to the NWT Housing Corporation.

It will then be used for seniors housing and a small park.