Demolition of the General Hospital Buildings

Decommissioning of the hospital has already begun as the medical functions are being relocated to other locations across the city. Once the buildings have been vacated, Alberta Public Works will be responsible for the approximate $9 million cost of demolishing the hospital buildings and rehabilitating the site. Following Old Bridgeland Days you will start to see fences being put up around the site in preparation for the demolition.

The immediate future of two buildings, the former nurses residence (Building "M") and the regional laundry facility (Building "L"), have not been determined. A charitable social housing agency and a charter school are reviewing the possibility of upgrading and re-using the residence and school building. City Council will make a decision on the retention of Building "M" later this summer. The Calgary Regional Health Authority is considering the continued use of the laundry until new facilities can be built elsewhere in the city. Once the laundry contract has been finalized we will know more about this option. There may also be the opportunity to renovate Building "L" for community purposes, after the laundry has left. This possibility will be explored further with the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association through the summer.

Following the finalization of the demolition contract, the two step demolition process can begin. The first step will be the removal of all hazardous material from the site. Asbestos, used in walls, insulation and tiles used throughout the hospital, has to be carefully removed, bagged and transported to an approved landfill site. PCB's found in light ballasts and transformers around the hospital, will also be carefully removed and taken to Swan Hills Waste treatment Plant for incineration. Any underground storage tanks will be pulled and removed. this hazardous material removal will start in August and is expected to take a few months.

Following the removal of hazardous materials, demolition of the buildings will begin. Two options are available for bringing down the buildings. Structural implosion involves the use of carefully planted explosives which weaken the internal building structures, bringing it down in an instant. The other, more slower option, is the use of a wrecking ball. Regardless of which demolition option is chosen, debris will be disposed of in a sensitive manner. The site will then be graded in preparation for redevelopment.

The duration of the demolition process is undetermined at this time as Alberta Public Works has not chosen a demolition contractor. However, as more information becomes available, residents will be kept updated through the Community Association newsletter and at public meetings being held in conjunction with the redevelopment planning process.

City of Calgary