No timeline for evacuated condo

Residents of a 44-unit condominium in Fort Saskatchewan met at Dow Centennial Centre for an update from property managers for the first time since being suddenly evacuated from their homes Aug 2, only to hear there is no firm timeline for moving back in or retrieving their stuff.

“The engineers have been working day and night, and on the weekends, doing the investigations. The work has been extensive, and certainly unexpected,” said Hugh Willis, legal counsel for the Riverview Estates Condominium Corporation in Fort Saskatchewan Sunday.

The city issued an evacuation order Aug 2, deeming the four-storey condo complex at 9930 100 Ave. “structurally unsafe” after determining its floor joists could fail.

Giving residents access to units, and getting a better understanding of the scope of work for the rebuild are the corporation’s first priorities, said Willis.

“Our focus is on getting people back in their homes, and working with the engineers and the city to do that. We’ll conduct the analysis of liability down the road,” he said.

Dozens of people had just 30 minutes to grab their belongings and vacate the building, which was constructed in 2003. Emergency support was provided, including shelter, for 22 adults and seven children for 96 hours to accommodate the long weekend, according to the Canadian Red Cross. The families stayed in hotel rooms.

“We don’t have permanent solutions, but we are working on a short-term solution with the city of Fort Saskatchewan to allow residents to have a window to obtain some of their possessions. While that’s occurring, the engineers are still working on what the longterm solutions will be,” said Willis.