A demolition contractor is getting ready to tear down a Castlegar landmark.
City council has been told that the West Kelowna company hired in August to tear down the Eremenko Block at 310 Columbia Avenue is mobilizing on site this week and expects to begin removing hazardous materials next week.
Roc Doc Ventures Ltd. will do the work for $825,000 plus taxes.
City engineering manager Ryan Niddery said staff talked to a number of businesses downtown last week about the project. The contractor will also speak with them.
Hazardous materials abatement is expected to take two months, with demolition to follow and take about one more month, Niddery said, so “substantial completion” is still expected at the end of the year.
The city has said that while demolition is underway, sidewalks on Columbia Avenue and 3rd Street adjacent to the site will be closed, traffic will be temporarily affected on 3rd Street and Wood Street Lane, and noise is expected Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Eremenko Block was built in 1947-48 and operated as a department store for about 50 years, first as A. Eremenko & Co. Ltd., then Columbia Stores, and finally Fields.
The Selkirk Challengers gymnastics club later used the space, but the building has been vacant since 2006. It was designed by Bill Williams, a prominent Nelson architect responsible for many noteworthy buildings in the Kootenays in the 1930s and ’40s.
A shoe store was added on in 1967 at 1224 3rd Street and operated until 1994.
The city bought the buildings in 2021 with plans to redevelop the site. Originally the proposal called for a mixed-use project incorporating the Kootenay Gallery. However, the gallery has since acquired the former Woods night club across the street.
Castle playground to close for maintenance
The castle playground in Millennium Park will close for a couple of days this month for maintenance and a warranty inspection.
Niddery said the dates are being scheduled, but it’s expected to be in late October and will require a full closure.
The playground was built in 2023-24. At 12 meters, it’s billed as Canada’s tallest castle play structure.
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNow News Alerts.
