PARRISH & HEIMBECKER MILL DEMOLITION SET FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2015

The remaining structure of the Parrish & Heimbecker Mill, in Saskatoon’s West Industrial area, is scheduled for demolition by explosives on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 6 a.m. The demolition will be performed by Winnipeg-based contractor Rakowski Cartage & Wrecking Ltd., which is a licensed blasting specialist.

 “The process began this March when the City of Saskatoon issued a permit to demolish the lower structure portions of the building with the use of heavy equipment,” explains Kara Fagnou, Building Standards Director. “Because of its height, the demolition of the upper portion will need to be completed using explosives.”

 A designated exclusion zone will be in place two hours prior to the blast limiting public access near the site. The public will have an opportunity to watch the demolition from an assigned viewing area at St. Mary’s Wellness and Education Centre, 327 Avenue N South.

 “The viewing area will be in a location that allows people to safely view the blast without the need for eye and ear protection,” says Saskatoon Fire Department Assistant Chief Morgan Hackl.  “However, due to dust that may result from the controlled blast, the contractor recommends anyone with a respiratory problem should not attend and to stay indoors if they live in the nearby area.  Additionally, we want to point out, all hazardous materials were removed from the building in March at the start of the project.”

 A comprehensive blasting plan has been approved by the Saskatoon Fire Department’s Emergency Measures Organization and the Saskatoon Police Service.  The plan is focused on public safety and to ensure occupational health and safety rules are strictly followed during the blast.  Starting tomorrow, residents and businesses located within the vicinity will be notified, in writing, by the contractor and provided with safety information.

 After the demolition, approximately 95% of the materials will be recycled, and work will begin on transitioning the area from heavy industrial to uses more complementary with the surrounding neighbourhoods under the City of Saskatoon’s (City) West Industrial Local Area Plan (LAP).

“The LAP changed the designation to a “Transition Zone” due to its close proximity to the Pleasant Hill and King George residential neighbourhoods,” Fagnou says. “At some point in the future, the City will encourage development of the site to be more compatible with our policy.”

Exclusion Zone

 For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.