By Kari Janzen, Staff Reporter
The seven residents reported to have been renting rooms in the Tofield Hotel were evicted on Tuesday, May 5.
“A Hazardous Materials Assessment report confirmed the presence of asbestos and lead contamination in the building materials throughout the interior and exterior of the hotel premises, during major renovations and lacking abatement,” the order to vacate issued by Alberta Health Services (AHS) Environmental Public Health available online says.
The document is dated April 28 and states that all tenants must vacate on or before May 15, but those who had been living in the hotel said they were told they had to be out by May 5.
The Tofield Hotel owner and manager have not responded to the Tofield Mercury’s request for comment, however, updates have been posted on the hotel’s social media page. On May 2, the page indicated that the third floor, where the residents were living, was free from contamination.
“The third floor has been confirmed to be completely free from asbestos and lead. However, as part of our commitment to long-term safety and maintenance, we will soon begin the asbestos abatement process in the building. To ensure our guests experience no disruption or risk, we are taking extraordinary precautions. For the safety of everyone, especially our current guests on the third floor, we are now constructing a safe passage/internal tunnel.
“This dedicated route will allow for smooth, easy evacuation of the building if needed, strictly as a safety measure. We are taking this very seriously. This tunnel is not for alarm — it is for assurance. Your well-being is our highest priority,” the post, signed off by owner, Manny, says.
The bar and lounge also received a notice of closure, also dated April 28, due to “confirmed asbestos and lead contaminated building materials throughout the hotel premises, specifically areas undergoing renovations and lacking abatement.”
The report also says that “the lounge is not of sound construction and in a state of good repair.”
Read the rest of the story in the May 13 edition of The Tofield Mercury. Grab it in the mail, on newsstands, on Local Ink (click here), and on Patreon now (click here).
