Demolition of historic Lethbridge, Alta., building delayed
Lethbridge council says a historic building in its Chinatown won't be demolished until concerned groups are given an adequate opportunity to save it.
The Manie Opera Society building was heavily damaged in January in the same fire that destroyed the historic Bow On Tong building.
A motion on Tuesday sought approval to demolish it, but members of the city's Chinese community in attendance said they haven't been consulted on the matter.
"We're very shocked that we didn't have any chance to talk to anybody, not to mention the owner of the building," said spokesperson Ying Zheng at Tuesday's meeting.
As a result, council voted 6-3 to give concerned parties two weeks to meet with the building's owner and search for a way to save it.
That doesn't mean that the Manie Opera Society building is guaranteed to remain standing.
"This does not prevent the owner from moving forward with fencing the site, preparing it for demolition, doing what they need to do, having the engineering down in order to have the building removed," said Coun. Jenn Schmidt-Rempel during the meeting.
"It does give our Chinese community an opportunity to speak with the building owner to see if there's anything further that could be done."
The Manie Opera Society was built in 1907.
Council is scheduled to meet again on June 13. If a solution is not agreed upon at that time, the demolition will proceed according to the owner's wishes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Security guard shot, critically injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.