LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Both spiritual and health concerns are receiving close attention as the demolition of a landmark building in Fort Simpson begins.

If the project schedule is met, Dehcho Hall will be no more than an area of disturbed ground by July 15. The building, which is more than 50 years old, has had a checkered past in the community.

Bob Valleau, project manager for the Dehcho Hall demolition, stands in the building's kitchen and points to an area of non-asbestos tiling while standing on a different type of tiles that contain asbestos. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The federal government built Dehcho Hall in the late 1950s. The building, then called Lapointe Hall, was run by the Roman Catholic mission as a residence for students attending residential school in Fort Simpson.

Liidlii Kue First Nation is organizing a weekend of events to help bring closure to those who lived in the hall.

An elder's meeting will be held in the recreation centre on May 22 at 3 p.m. Elder Charlie Neyelle from Deline will explain the teachings of the ceremonies that take place, said Barb Moreau-Betsaka, who is organizing the events.

The meeting will be followed by a potluck dinner and a drum dance at the arbour at 6 p.m. On Sunday, those who stayed at the hall are invited to a meeting at 2 p.m. in the old chapel section of the hall. A fire feeding ceremony and a passing over ceremony will follow the meeting.

"The whole purpose behind this is for closure," said Moreau-Betsaka.

There are a lot of spirits in the hall and the ceremony will allow family members who are stuck there to go home, she said.

Village residents have been asking for ceremonies related to the hall but interest has also come in as far afield as Tulita and Deline, Moreau-Betsaka said.

At Nogha Enterprises Ltd. Gilbert Cazon, the interim general manager, is balancing both the demolition and the site's history.

Nogha and Arctic Environmental Service Ltd. of Yellowknife formed Nogha Arctic Environmental Services, a joint venture company for the demolition contract as well as other potential contracts. The company can handle hazardous waste, a service that hasn't been available in the community, Gilbert said.

As of May 17, the work at the site has been limited to removing non-hazardous material, some of which will be available for salvaging including tables, chairs, unpainted wood and some stoves. The material, however, comes with a warning.

"As Dene people we are taught not to set up camp with other people's tent poles," said Cazon.

Those who take things from the hall need to be aware of what happened in the building and the fact that that legacy will go wherever the material goes, Cazon said. To respect the site a ceremonial closing off will be held after the demolition is complete, he said.

At Dehcho Hall, project manager Bob Valleau is responsible for health and safety concerns related to the building.

The hall contains both lead and asbestos that will be removed under controlled conditions. All of the demolition crew will be wearing white suits and masks during that phase of the project, Valleau said.

The main concern with both lead and asbestos is dust. Asbestos is present in the building's in-floor tiles, drywall mud and pipe insulation. All of the asbestos will be removed in a way that will eliminate dust particles being produced so there will be no danger to people who live near the building or to the nearby schools, said Valleau.

"It's very safe outside of the perimeter fence," he said.

All of the asbestos and lead material will be put in large bags and transported to hazardous waste disposal sites, including one in High Level, Alta.

After the hazardous material is removed, a process that's expected to be done by the end of June, the building will be reduced to framing material. Some of the wood will be salvaged but the rest will be burned in an air curtain burner that doesn't produce smoke. Approximately 180 dump-truck loads of material including shingles, insulation and carpet will be taken to the local landfill.

By then all that will remain is the foundation. The concrete will be broken up into pieces no more than four inches large and used as fill in the hole. The whole project is expected to be done by July 15. The project is employing approximately 40 people, 80 per cent of those workers are local residents.