The Huron-Perth Healthcare Alliance has opened up bids on the demolition of Stratford’s first public hospital, Avon Crest.
A group however is continuing their part to ensure the building stays put and remains a part of history within the city.
Save Avon Crest is a group dedicated to ensuring the survival of the building and keeping the rich history of the site.
Howard Shubert with Save Avon Crest says when it comes to saving the building, its more than just heritage, adding demolition is an environmental problem as well.
“There is also the issue of the environment because demolishing buildings is not good for the environment it releases carbon into the atmosphere which increases greenhouse gases and adds to climate change” said Shubert.
Shubert adds they’ve shot around plenty of ideas of how to repurpose the building for the community such as even rezoning for housing but feels the healthcare alliance has been more focused on tearing down the building.
“The Healthcare Alliance since the beginning has been hellbent on destroying the building. They have not been exploring or have any ideas for what could be done. We’ve pushed a number of ideas…retirement homes, a Ronald McDonald House.”
The Huron-Perth Healthcare Alliance says they are open to finding reasonable solutions to save the building but with the demolition awarded likely in March the window is limited.