The Family Support Centre (FSC) is about to begin demolition of the building that formerly housed its women's shelter on Riverview Drive.
The demolition had not started as of late last week.
However, Janet-Marie Fizer, chair of the FSC board, said it could begin sometime this week.
"The contractor is in the process of putting permitting in place to do that," she said on July 27. "We have asbestos in the tape on the drywall so there has to be asbestos abatement done before the actual teardown."
She estimated it will take about two weeks for the whole thing, including clean-up, to happen.
The building on Riverview Drive has been empty for a year, since the Family Support Centre moved its women's shelter to a house owned by the Town of Hay River.
In late May, the centre launched a fundraising drive to collect up to $3 million over the next three years for a new women's shelter at the site of the building to be demolished.
Fizer believes the fundraising effort will be spurred on once the old building is demolished.
"People aren't reminded of the situation we're in as long as this building is standing," she said. "But I think, when it comes down, then it becomes a reality that there really is no shelter, no facility anymore."
Construction is not going to start immediately on a new shelter once the old building is removed.
"It's not, because we have to find the money to build," said Fizer.
The previous facility, which had been in operation since 1992, had numerous deficiencies, including problems with its roof, plumbing and heating system.
The demolition project is funded in part by the federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy.
Crews will work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., and will implement measures to reduce disruptions to neighbours. The FSC will share further details with residents.
Fizer said the Family Support Centre is very grateful that the town has provided space for a temporary shelter, but it's very small.
In mid-June, town council agreed to extend the current lease of a town-owned house with the Family Support Centre for up to three years to July 7, 2021.
No monthly rent will be charged, and the Family Resource Centre will continue to be responsible for all utilities.
The Family Support Centre relocated its women's shelter to the house on Woodland Drive in July of last year for an initial one-year term.
The fundraising goal is meant to replace the soon-to-be demolished building on Riverview Drive with a 10-bedroom facility – with a capacity of 20 beds – allowing for office space and space for community programs.
The old building was a five-bedroom facility.
The Family Support Centre – an independent non-governmental organization funded by the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority – will mark its 30th year of service in 2019.