Appartment complex demolished
Apartments come down in Manitouwadge
by Karina Hunter
MANITOUWADGE, ON – May 26th, 2010 Crowds gathered on Sandpiper Avenue in Manitouwadge as Contractor John Glaister demolished what were once teachers apartments. Glaister explained that it would be 2 – 3 days before demolition, clean-up and top-soiling of the 7 unit complex would be completed.
Watching from across the road and answering questions of passers-by were owners, Rick Roy and Glad Wirtz from Marathon. The couple had lived for 4 years in one of the apartments some years ago and said they had enjoyed Manitouwadge though they found it difficult at times, to fully integrate into the tight-knit community, “It seemed that even after 4 years we were often referred to as ‘new’ to town and seen as outsiders”said Wirtz.
Over the years, they tried to make a go of renting both the apartments in the complex and the storage units in the garage behind the main building; the storage units were rented but the apartments remained vacant. The building was still in good condition, Roy explained but taxes were too high for them too justify keeping an empty rental unit and that they had met with township representatives hoping to find another solution to the demolition but none came out of their meeting.
The row of storage units (i.e. garages) on the far side of the lot behind the apartment building was not being demolished yet; Roy has advised renters that these must be empty by July 1st, following this they too will be demolished.
Roy and Wirtz were the 2nd owners of this building/property with the 1st being the region’s public school board in 1963.
-
- Day 2
-
- DAY 2
-
- DAY 2 – Contractor John Glaister progressing on schedule with demolition of a 7 unit apartment complex Sandpiper Ave.
-
- Day 1 – Contractor John Glaister says 2-3 days for completion of demolition, clean-up & top soil.
