Construction Milestones Continue at New Art Gallery

During the week of May 16, the contractor plans to remove the exterior façade supports that have been framing and supporting the historical façade of the Thom Building since work first began at the site.  

To undertake this work, a large 200 ton crane will be on-site, working from Lochiel Street to remove the supports.   "Bringing in the larger equipment will allow for minimal impact to Christina Street while the work is underway," said Dereck Holmes, Project Supervisor.  "The supports are now ready for removal as the building is structurally sound and capable of holding the façade on its own."  

Work crews also started removing sections of the brick turret or tower on the corner of the building so that the brickwork can be restored and then returned to its place on the turret.  "A well known New Hamburg company, Empire Restoration, is on-site to handle the restoration requirements," said Holmes.  "The company is familiar with Lambton County, having worked on the restoration of the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia after its devastating fire in the 1980s." 

The first phase of the restoration process will start with the removal of the white paint on sections of brick located on the second storey of the Thom Building.

"The crews have really been moving these last few weeks and we are pleased that we are at a position where the space above the CIBC is completely drywalled and being painted, the HVAC system is installed in the basement of the Thom building and the roof is ready to be placed in May," said Holmes.  

Judith Alix, Bev MacDougall, Jim Burns, Norman Alix, Dereck Holmes and Sylvia Foreman on
a Hard Hat Tour of the construction site May 6, 2011.

Judith Alix talks to Project Supervisor Dereck Holmes.