An aging Port Coquitlam building that was last used as a public health unit will be torn down.
This week, PoCo council voted to demolish the one-storey structure at 2266 Wilson Ave. rather than upgrade it.
The decision came after Fraser Health told the city this month it wouldn't be renewing its lease for the 3,300-sq. ft. facility, located in the downtown core. Its programs - mostly for younger children - are now offered at other sites.
Last November, Fraser Health relocated its services from PoCo to the Newport Village public health unit in Port Moody after staff expressed concerns about asbestos in insulation material that was dislodged from bricks. The city brought in engineers to look at how much remediation was needed; they concluded more than $1 million worth of structural and environmental updates were required.
At the time, Fraser Health stated that vermiculite, commonly used in buildings of the era as insulation, was detected and contained 1% asbestos. However, air quality testing was done and safety precautions were taken.
Mayor Greg Moore said in a news release the city will now review its options for the prime real estate, a 0.64-acre site of which a portion includes the Donald Park walkway and the parking lot.
There is no word on when the 44-year-old building will go down but demolition is expected to cost $200,000, a city spokesperson said.
