Northern Rockies Regional Municipality complex buildings start to reopen after building structure concerns

FORT NELSON, B.C. — A few regional municipal buildings have reopened after being temporarily closed over concerns about structural issues. 

According to updates on the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality’s (NRRM) website, the Municipal Hall and the east side of the complex were closed to the public on March 19th and March 20th. 

According to a news article by CBC, staff in the municipal complex heard “a sizeable crack” on Thursday, March 19th, which led to an investigation. 

Rob Fraser, mayor of the NRRM, told CBC the building’s roof is flat and there was heavy snow accumulation bearing down on it. 

“We’ve got more snow here than we’ve had in many, many years,” he said. “We’ll see what the engineers say, but I suspect that has something to do with it.”

A March 20th update said Northern Rockies Fire Rescue was actively monitoring the buildings and engineers were on-site to assess the impacted areas to determine the scope of the issue. 

Excluding Grace Manor seniors housing, the impacted areas include the Town Hall, library, Phoenix Theatre, Service BC, Northern Health mental health service and the playschool.

As per the March 20th update at 6 p.m., after an initial assessment, the library, Phoenix Theatre, Service BC and Northern Health clubhouse, Fort Nelson Playschool and Grace Manor have been assessed to be safe for occupancy. 

However, the Northern Rockies’ administration office will remain closed and front counter services have been relocated to the front desk of the recreation centre. 

An in-depth assessment of the damaged area is expected to be completed within the next 10 days. 

In a March 21st update, NRRM said the snow clearing on the roof of the Municipal Hall complex was to start on Sunday, March 22nd. Crews were set to remove snow from the entire complex and snow blowing was to be a part of this operation. 

Town Hall staff, including those who work in corporate services, regional development and planning and finance, are available. 

To contact them, the NRRM asked the community to call 250-774-2541 or 250-775-0933 or leave a message, as staff are working in other facilities. The hours are Monday to Friday from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.