Demolition of historic Meredith Place begins
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/12/2023 (1015 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The demolition of the old Meredith Place YWCA building on 11th Street in Brandon commenced around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, marking a milestone in the transition toward a new facility.
The demolition is being done by Portage la Prairie-based Total Demolition.
“We will complete the exercise on Sunday,” company’s representative Nathan Gerrard told the Sun. “YWCA temporarily moved next door. They will build a brand new building here.”
The significance of this demolition stems from more than a century of service that Meredith Place provided as transitional housing for women and gender-diverse individuals in Brandon. Facing significant repair costs, the YWCA decided to move forward with the demolition, paving the way for a new facility.
Last June, its executive director Lois Ruston expressed the ongoing burden the aging structure posed on the YWCA’s resources, “Despite the closure, maintaining the building continues to be a drain on the organization’s resources.”
The building’s closure was prompted by extensive repairs that exceeded the YWCA’s financial means. In January, a burst pipe exacerbated the situation, resulting in water damage that necessitated repairs covered by an insurance claim.
During the demolition process, efforts will be made to salvage elements of the historic structure, including portions of the exterior masonry, red brick, Tyndall stone, and limestone. Ruston emphasized the desire to integrate these salvaged elements into the new transitional housing facility to honour the building’s legacy and significance to the organization.
The new development, she said, aims to carry forward Meredith Place’s mission, offering transitional housing to women and gender-diverse individuals. Notably, the absence of asbestos in the building simplifies the demolition process.
Plans for the new facility will commemorate Henry Meredith, whose generous donation in 1917 facilitated the construction of the original transitional housing facility. Ruston highlighted Meredith’s foresight in recognizing the need for a safe and supportive space for women.
While the YWCA possesses resources to cover some expenses, uncertainty looms regarding the necessity of fundraising to finance both demolition and reconstruction efforts.
Moreover, the community anticipates other initiatives, such as the joint project between Youth for Christ Westman and the John Howard Society of Brandon, which received a $5-million funding boost from the federal government’s Rapid Housing Initiative. Ruston affirmed the YWCA’s support for such efforts while emphasizing the need for multiple projects to address existing housing gaps adequately.
» aodutola@brandonsun.com
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