LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Dehcho Hall, a landmark in Fort Simpson, will be demolished.

The budget for the demolition of the building was approved as part of the budget deliberations in the legislative assembly. The building has been empty since last February when staff with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, the Dehcho Divisional Education Council and Aurora College moved to their new locations in the village.

Dehcho Hall in Fort Simpson could be nothing but a memory by next winter if plans for its demolition move forward on schedule. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The Department of Public Works and Services identified demolition as the likely future for the building, which is more than 50-years-old, when it was closed. Some local organizations did express interest in the hall but after being provided with information from the Office of the Fire Marshal on the work necessary for the structure none chose to pursue the matter, said Mike Burns, the acting assistant deputy minister with the department.

The department plans to move ahead on April 1 to secure a contractor to demolish the building. If plans go to schedule the building will be completely removed by the end of December, Burns said.

On Feb. 23, Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche addressed the legislative assembly about the desire of some Fort Simpson residents to be able to salvage material from the building.

"It's always been a concern of residents," said Menicoche.

Menicoche pointed out that when Bompas Elementary and Thomas Simpson Schools were renovated some salvaged material was made available to residents. At one point there was a question whether or not material would be salvaged from the hall, he said.

The salvage of material is standard procedure for a demolition, said Burns.

"The intent is to recycle as much as possible but we have to make sure it's done in a very safe manner," he said.

Any hazardous materials in the building, which could include asbestos and lead paint, will be removed by a registered firm and disposed of in a way that follows environmental regulations, said Burns. Once that stage is complete the building will undergo normal demolition practices and an agreement will be established with the contractor to allow for salvaging. Appropriate material may be set aside in a specific area, he said.

The exact timeline for the demolition will depend on the extent of the hazardous material and how long it takes to remove it from the site, Burns said. The plan is to have all of the salvaging done before next winter.

Burns was unable to disclose the budget for the demolition.