The process of removing the old Eaton’s department store building to prepare for the construction of the True North Entertainment Centre continues. In response to many inquiries, this will be a semi-regular bulletin to update you about demolition activity on the site.
Much of the roof structure has been pulled down onto the eighth floor of the building. This includes the penthouse structures that sat on the roof of Eaton’s. The mechanical equipment and the housing above the elevator shafts have been removed. The salvage of a variety of materials for recycling continues as the building is taken apart.
Activity is about to become more visible. On Saturday, August 24th, the walkway bridge that used to link the parkade (now the Cityplace parkade) with the Eaton’s store will be detached from the building and brought down to the ground by a crane.
The demolition contractor, McColman and Sons, plans to begin removing the cornice around the exterior walls of the building and to begin pulling down the walls of the eighth floor on or about Thursday, August 29th. A second excavator will be hoisted to the top of the building on Wednesday August 28th or Thursday, August 29th to assist with the top-down demolition.
On Monday, August 26th the C.I.B.C. branch that has been located in the annex will officially open for business in new quarters in Cityplace. With the departure of C.I.B.C., the entire block that will comprise the footprint of the Entertainment Centre will be vacant. The final section of demolition hoarding of the site will take place the evening of Wednesday, August 28th.
At that time True North’s construction managers, PCL Constructors Canada Inc, will erect fencing along the outside perimeter of the sidewalk on the north side of Graham Avenue. It will span the entire length of the block between Hargrave and Donald Streets. Pedestrians will be able to use the sidewalk on the south side of Graham Avenue and to enter Cityplace as usual. There is no change to transit activity along Graham and no impact on any transit bus stops.
[MTS Centre Construction Demolition Archive]
