Headframe appeal rejected
Tallest structure in territory expected to come down as early as next month
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Friday, October 14, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The appeal of the Robertson Headframe demolition permit by mining heritage advocate Walt Humphries has been quashed, striking a blow to his efforts to save the tallest structure in the territory and a remnant of the city's mining history.
The city's Development Appeal Board has rejected an appeal by mining heritage advocate Walt Humphries of a demolition permit for the Robertson Headframe at the former Con Mine site. The iconic landmark's date with demolition may come as early as next month. - NNSL file photo |
"It's going to be a tremendous loss - it's a headframe but it's also a landmark," the NWT Mining Heritage Society president said Thursday, adding he's saddened but not surprised.
"I imagine Newmont is going to rush as fast as they can to blow that thing up and have it come crashing down."
Scott Stringer, general manager of Newmont Mining Corporation's subsidiary Miramar Northern Mining Ltd., said the structure could come down as early as November.
The headframe, which rises 25 storeys over the former Con Mine site, was originally expected to be toppled with a controlled explosion in the spring but was delayed while the territorial government carried out secret talks with Newmont to potentially save the structure.
Cabinet opted over the summer to not go ahead. The company applied and received a permit from the city for the demolition. The removal of the iconic white, blue and red-capped building is required as part of the cleanup of the former gold mine.
That permit was appealed by Humphries who argued last week before the city's development appeal board that the headframe is a historical building and could be turned into a money-making tourist attraction.
The quasi-judicial board can uphold permits, amend them or quash them should someone prove bylaws weren't followed or errors were made and they were adversely affected. The board ruled Humphries didn't have a case and is no more affected by the demolition than the average city resident.
"Mr. Humphries arguments ... Pertained to the headframe being a local landmark, a heritage resource and a navigational aid which does not address the statutory provisions of the (Community Planning and Development Act) and are all beyond the scope of the board's jurisdiction. The appeal is therefore dismissed," the decision signed by board chairperson Margaret Kralt and issued Wednesday states.
The decision, handed down one week after the hearing, is another step toward demolition.
Stringer said the company is awaiting final approval from the city for a building permit, which cannot be appealed.
Pending that approval, the company is working with a contractor to schedule the demolition.
"Without yet having discussed with our contractor, I expect the structure to come down in early November, but again we'll have to adjust our schedules based on the weather, etc." Stringer wrote in an e-mail Thursday.
Hazardous material will be removed from the structure and then explosives will be used to topple the building. The debris will then be cleaned up.
Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission spokesperson Kim Walker stated in an e-mail that it approved the demolition plan as outlined by the company in a letter last month.
