Demolition work begins at former Sam’s Hotel

The former Sam’ Hotel in Wallaceburg is coming down.

Workers were on site on Friday morning, January 10, with heavy equipment, removing pieces of the building, which is located at 1531 Dufferin Avenue.

Mattresses and other debris could be spotted on the ground surrounding the building and empty holes could be seen where windows had been in place.

Wallaceburg Councillor Aaron Hall told the Sydenham Current that a demolition permit for the building was issued on Monday.

It was announced on November 5, 2019 that a brand new Indigenous child care centre is set to be built at the location.

“Ska:na Family Learning Centre (SFLC) is pleased to announce that it has received the contract to provide child care in Chatham-Kent with funding to build two new centres in Chatham and Wallaceburg,” Ska:na Family Learning Centre officials said in a press release.

“Ska:na Family Learning Centre is pleased to offer Indigenous culturally-based curriculum with a land-based learning approach for children ages 0 – 12 years old. SFLC is purchasing property at 25 Eighth Street, Chatham and 1531 Dufferin Avenue, Wallaceburg and plans are underway to have the sites in operation by the end of 2020.”

Ska:na Family Learning Centre officials added that they are a not for profit, charity organization servicing families with children ages 0-12 years old.

Founded in 2003 by the Parent Council of an early-childhood education program from the Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre to develop early childhood educational programming, it has been a key support system to many families with young children in the Windsor area.

Ska:na Family Learning Centre has also been awarded the contract to provide Indigenous EarlyON and will be opening an EarlyON site at 67 Adelaide Street South before the end of 2019.

“Chi Miigwech – Thank you to the Chatham-Kent Municipal Council for this opportunity to serve the children and families of Chatham-Kent,” Ska:na Family Learning Centre officials said in a media release.

We’ll provide more details when they become available.

Here are some photos taken this morning at the site:

- Advertisment -