Post by : Meena Ariff

The Fredericton Exhibition Grounds is witnessing the dismantling of its iconic grandstand as the New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition adheres to a demolition order rejected by the city. This order, issued on September 9, highlighted multiple safety concerns, such as rusted structures, risks of asbestos exposure, absence of safety guards, litter issues, and fears of falls.

An appeal made by the exhibition in October was dismissed, prompting the board to align with the city's decision. Executive director Rae Tretiak emphasized that the board gained a clearer understanding of the city's stance after the hearing, concluding that demolishing the structure was the most prudent course of action.

Demolition efforts commenced a week ago, with teams beginning the removal of materials around the seating area and clearing debris from the overhead structure. Next, the steel frame will be disassembled, and the concrete base will be taken out to mitigate any tripping risks. Tretiak estimates that the project will last between two to three months and incur costs close to $400,000.

As the demolition unfolds, several locals are visiting to bid farewell to a structure steeped in community history. Closed since 2017 and boarded up this year, the grandstand was a significant venue for various events, including a notable royal visit in July 1959, located near a racetrack that still sees occasional horse activity, despite official racing concluding in 2016.

Discussions regarding the land's future are ongoing, with potential plans for a new middle school being on the table, although nothing has been finalized. Concurrently, the city and the exhibition are engaged in expropriation talks concerning the future management of the site, with four objections lodged ahead of the November 17 deadline as part of this negotiation process.

#Canada News #World News