Building Changes

Insurance Work
This winter, as did many Halifax residents, we incurred water damage to various sections of our building. Due to the heavy volume of claims, we are just getting this sorted out now. To make a long story shorter, given the age of the building the insurance company required an asbestos test before the repair work could be done.

The plaster sample sent in for analysis came back positive and therefore the repair work will proceed in an air controlled and contained environment according to regulations in what is referred to as type 3 remediation which allows for the most stringent air quality control. This process includes sealing off the front reception entirely, Snow Lion room and hallway up to but not including kitchen for approximately 4 weeks. Currently, we have put forth a request that the work begin in October, I will keep you posted.

Please know we are cooperating fully with all recommendations made by our insurance company to ensure a healthy environment is maintained for all who use the Centre. They have assured us there is no risk currently, while the asbestos is undisturbed and they will take strict precautions during the work which will be regulated by an inspector who is a specialist in this area. This is a very common find in an old building such as the original part of ours.

To clarify, not all walls have been tested and just the ones requiring repair, thus disturbing the asbestos, are being removed. This will be a strong factor to consider in any potential future renovations to the front end of the building. This work is currently being covered under our insurance policy, at no cost to us.The good news is in the end, we will have a healthier building. During the work, people will have to enter through the wheel chair access ramp. *If you have a key to the front door, that key also works for that side door.

Kitchen Renovations
After consideration (and before the news of the asbestos removal) we decided to move ahead with the kitchen renovation full force! Having a new kitchen has been expressed as a shared community priority during countless conversations. Given the location of the load-bearing walls, it’s become clear that if the design was to change to expand into the coat room or reception area the cost would increase quite a bit. Since we have money in the bank, thanks to you, for this project specifically, we have decided to put it to good use now. I feel this renovation will benefit many and be a great lungta boost for our community! There will be kitchen use interruptions while the work is completed. We aim to complete the project by the end of September. There will be a make shift kitchen upstairs with limited use in the meantime. I am confident the inconvenience will be well worth it in the long run.

Thank you so much for your dedication, support, and service, as well as riding this wave of transition with us!
Yours, as always
Michelle