Motorcycle accident puts Duffy demolition behind
A motorcycle accident has left well-known Amherstburg businessman Terry Jones in hospital with serious injuries and stalled the Duffy’s Tavern demolition.
Jones, president and founder of the Jones Group Inc., a local demolition, abatement and remediation company, has been in hospital since the June 17 accident.
Jones Group began knocking down the motel section of the landmark Duffy’s buildings early in June. The two-acre site is situated on the Detroit River in downtown Amherstburg.
At the time, chief administrative officer John Miceli said the timetable for clearing and grading the site was 11 weeks, with the goal of having it ready to host part of the Canuck It Up Festival Aug. 5-6.
The motel section has been demolished but work at the site has stalled since Jones’ accident and the tavern is still standing.
“They’re committed to try and get it presentable before the Canuck It Up,” Miceli said.
“All I can say is, I’m waiting for a finalized schedule from them. Verbally, I know that they’ve said, ‘John we’re going to do whatever we can to try to get caught up with it.’”
Miceli praised Jones’ involvement with the town and the festival, adding Jones was helping to facilitate some aspects of the events, including providing a crane.
“He’s really stepped up to the plate. It’s so unfortunate he had this untimely accident,” Miceli said.
“Terry’s got such a giving heart. When you lose the key guy like that from a family business … it’s tough, it really is.”
A woman who answered the phone Friday morning at the Jones Group office wouldn’t speak about Jones’ accident or its effect on the business.
“We’re not going to comment on that,” she said. “I don’t think the family wants to discuss his condition.”
According to Amherstburg police spokesman Const. Shawn McCurdy, the crash happened at 12:44 a.m. in the 3400 block of Concession 3 in Amherstburg.
The single-vehicle accident involved a motorcycle travelling northbound. McCurdy said the motorcycle went onto the shoulder of the roadway and the driver lost control.
McCurdy said the 46-year-old male driver was sent airborne after the bike hit the ditch.
He suffered severe head injuries and was taken by ambulance to Windsor Regional Hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition.
Hospital spokesman Ron Foster said Jones was in serious but stable condition Friday. He has been moved from the intensive care unit to a patient floor.
Amherstburg police have not laid any charges yet but said the investigation is continuing.
Jones is also a business partner with Brad Hearn in The Fort Family Fun Centre on Texas Road. The property, formerly the Verdi Club, is being refurbished and plans include laser tag, an arcade and a go-kart track to complement the restaurant, bowling alley and future campground.
Hearn couldn’t be reached for comment Friday.
Miceli said he’s “pretty confident” the Duffy’s site will be usable for the Canuck It Up Festival, a Canada 150 event featuring the West Coast Lumberjack Show and Rhythm of the Nation live performances, tours of the tall ship Appledor V and the world’s largest rubber duck.
Miceli said asbestos abatement on the former tavern, which closed in 2013, is scheduled to begin next week.
“We’re going to try to focus them on just trying to finish what we need to get Canuck It Up up and running,” he said.