Mayfair demolition delayed by workplace safety concerns

Officials with the City of Kitchener say the demolition of the historic Mayfair Hotel could be finished in about a weekafter work was "held up for several days" due to an ongoing discussion between the contractor and the province over workplace safety issues.

William Lin, a spokesman with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, confirmed that twostop work orders were issued by provincial officials. The first wasin connection to a May 22complaint about possible asbestos on-site and the second was in relation to on-site safety hazards discovered by theprovincial inspector, who had been sent to check out the report of asbestos.

However, Lin said both stop work orders were lifted late Thursday afternoon once provincial inspectors were satisfied that the asbestos had been removed and the other hazards were addressed.

• Mayfair demolition paused to stabilize 150 King St. West building

• Building next to Kitchener's Mayfair Hotel also at risk of collapse, both will be demolished

City officials said work resumed on Thursdaywith the demolition contractor installing scaffolding along the front of the buildings onKing Street.

"Once the front facade is completed in terms of its shoring, the demolition can proceed. I'm very hopeful that that will be early next week and by a week this Friday the demolition will have been completed," said Mike Seiling, the city's chief building official.

News of the delays comes as demolition work on the historic building was expected to be finished.It means that King Street West, which has already been closed for two weeks for the demolition, will be closed for a few more days than anticipated.

Seiling saidhe is working with the demolition contractor to re-open King Street over the weekend, but that it will have to close again when demolition resumes, which he hopes will be early next week.