SaskPower does not expect customer service in Moose Jaw to be disrupted after the Crown corporation demolished its cash office building on Lillooet Street West because of its age.
Demolition crews arrived on site at 855 Lillooet Street West on Jan. 12 and within a day had knocked down the 61-year-old building. Crews are now working to clean up the site and ensure all materials are disposed of properly.
Scott Campbell, director of properties and shared services, explained why they demolished the venue.
“Buildings of that age have asbestos … . We were also experiencing some challenges with water getting in through the roof (and) the windows were older. We have HVAC — heating mechanical equipment — that was really at the end of its life (as well),” he said.
Before demolition occurred, SaskPower renovated and modernized a second building on that site that work crews use and relocated the customer service employees there, he continued. This allowed the organization to tear down the 1961 building and free up space on that property.
The Crown corporation expects cleanup to take a few weeks. Warmer temperatures will allow crews to make good headway on site remediation.
Demolishing the building cost about $248,000, which included taking special precautions to remove the asbestos first and removing other hazardous materials. With a professional contractor handling the demolition, Campbell did not believe that the project would negatively affect residents.
SaskPower plans to — in the short-term — use that “really valuable yard space” to store material, park equipment and modernize the yard, he added. It will also analyze the business needs of people working in the adjacent building and develop a long-term plan for the site.
“SaskPower plans on maintaining these facilities and remaining in Moose Jaw,” Campbell added.
