The old Ducharme building, currently Riders Connection, will be demolished by the M.D. of Bonnyville to create more parking spots for their staff and residents.

Council approved the spend of $215,000 last Wednesday for a contractor to do the abatement and disposal of asbestos on the building and knock it down.

That space at 4902-51 Avenue will alleviate the cramped parking the municipality is having, including for residents.

“We are cramped beyond belief and we have no parking for our residents,” said Reeve Greg Sawchuk.

“They pull up out front and you’ve got four spots there. It’s broken up by the hydrant and wheelchair spot and then you’re left with very little. If anybody was coming to town with a stock trailer, well they may be parking two, three blocks away. So for not only residents, but the staff, we were just out of parking,” he said.

Sawchuk said completion will be at the end of May.

“It’s going to be gravel in the time being and what we do to as far as improvements afterwards, we’ll decide later,” he said.

The M.D. acquired the building last year along with 4909 50th Ave, which gave them more parking spots along the west side of the building.

After the contractor has received clearance from the abatement monitoring consultant, they will demolish and properly dispose of the 1,395 square metre building and concrete slab and then bring the building footprint area to grade with gravel.