But heritage groups in the city have delayed the wrecking ball, arguing the buildings, especially the old hospital, are of historical significance and should be preserved, explained Jim McKay, environmental superintendent for Con Mine.

Only the asbestos has been stripped from the buildings' walls so far because of the environmental hazard.

But McKay says total demolition is looming.

"Those buildings have not been used for a long, long time," McKay said last Wednesday.

Break-ins have become common in those old structures, he added.

Padlocks on the doors have not prevented people from getting into them.

Chip bags, candles, and bottles are found littering the premises, McKay said.

Two years ago, a youth suffered burns when a fire broke out in one of the buildings, McKay added.

"Right now, with buildings being abandoned, we have a very high liability," McKay said.

"I would speculate we are going to demolish before the end of this year," he added.

Local amateur historian Walt Humphries says, if nothing else, the old Stanton Hospital, Yellowknife's first hospital, should be preserved.

"The best thing possible is if the (current) Stanton Hospital itself took it and decided to make it into a museum," Humphries said, adding, "Depending on what the city plans to do with the Con site."

Coun. Blake Lyons said when it comes to the Con Mine site, he recognizes the historical importance of the buildings, but his concern is about the health of the environment.

"My first inkling would be to demolish them," Lyons said Wednesday.

"Unless someone came along with a more convincing argument. But that would be my first reaction because of all the unknowns."