A neighbourhood landmark might be coming down if council votes to demolish the Westfort Community Centre Monday night.
City construction manager Gerry Broere said the 66-year-old building has long past the point of being rehabilitated and its roof could be in danger of collapsing should the city experience a heavy snowfall this winter.
"If there was a heavy snowfall there is the potential for collapse," said Broere. "Some serious work probably should’ve been done on that building almost 30 years ago. It’s at a condition now where it’s not feasible to even try to salvage the structure it would have to be totally torn down and rebuilt."
Broere said buildings like the Westfort Community Centre are built with wood frames and lack a real foundation which usually needs major repairs after 40 years. The building was inspected five years ago and was said to be in poor but stable condition. After a recent inspection though, Broere said age has finally taken its toll on the centre. The cost of a complete rebuild would be $825,000 compared to at most $30,000 to demolish and level the site he said.
All programs and salvageable equipment will be relocated to other community centres such as West Thunder or Vale. Broere said it would be sad to see the centre go but wants to have it gone before winter so it won’t pose a danger to anyone. Everyone involved with the centre has been notified and relocation for some programs has already begun he said.
"I’m sure they’re sad to see the community centre potentially go but the programming has been and will be accommodated at other locations," said Broere.
Should council vote to tear the centre down, a closing celebration has already been tentatively planned for Oct 2. The building would be closed to the public and demolished by the end of October.
