MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM — In scenes reminiscent of the former Providence Hospital from a generation ago, the former site of the Valley View Centre is being vandalized and has become a destination for the trespassing curious and picked clean by petty thieves in half ton trucks.
But exactly what is going on at the former Valley View site is unknown by the City of Moose Jaw.
“I have heard some information on that building,” City Manager Maryse Carmichael said in response to questions at Monday’s post council news conference.
Asked about the rumour that Carpere Canada is set to walk away from the facility, Carmichael said she had not heard that.
“I haven’t heard that rumour. It is always something (as) we continue the discussion with Carpere like any other investors in the city. I haven’t heard that.”
When asked if the city was aware the metal entry gates had been removed and there was no longer a security patrol at the facility, Carmichael said “we’ll make sure we talk to them.”
Located on the southern edge of Moose Jaw, the former government institution which housed people with intellectual disabilities, the Valley View Centre was closed in September 2019.
The institution closed when the care model for people with intellectual disabilities shifted from the large institutions to a community-based care model.
In September 2020, Carpere Canada acquired the property from the provincial government.
Plans called for Carpere to incorporate the then intact existing facilities into its development plans for the property.
The project was also to include townhouse developments in what has been called one of the most pristine parcels of land in the city.
The project bogged down on several issues.
One issue was the city asking Carpere to share costs for the repair or replacement of the then closed 7th Avenue SW bridge.
There was also a dispute as to the road allowances and providing access for two families living adjacent to the Valley View property.
The payment of offsite development levy charges — charged to all new developments (except in certain circumstances) to pay for access roads, recreational facilities and connecting infrastructure — and what they would be spent on was another sticking point between Carpere and the city.
Additionally, there were problems for Carpere in getting the zoning changes they wanted.
Metal gates Carpere had erected at the entry of the property through Wakamow Valley have been smashed down and removed now that the area is accessible by bridge through the Wakamow Valley.
Residents have told MJ Independent that while they were out walking on the site, they witnessed what appeared to be theft from the property.
They described multiple half ton trucks race up to the buildings quickly load up what appeared to be piled up copper and other scrap metal and quickly drive away in broad daylight.
Vandalism and theft were first reported close to a year ago.
In an Aug. 9, 2023 article, MooseJawToday.com reported Carpere at that time estimated vandals had done $1 million in damages to the facility.
Since then, additional damage to the facilities has occurred.
Another resident was out biking and said they witnessed youth come out of the buildings covered in paint during what they assumed was the youths committing vandalism.
The probable stripping of scrap materials raises concerns as asbestos insulated heating and other pipes remaining in the Valley View buildings.
None of the people witnessed coming out of the buildings were wearing masks or other protective gear, according to people who spoke to MJ Independent.
Asbestos is a well-known carcinogen.
According to a source familiar with the Valley View property, who asked to remain anonymous so as to stay on good terms with all parties, the buildings are rife with asbestos insulation.
The cost of asbestos remediation for the property prior to its closure was estimated to be in the millions with the remediation cost of a single cottage estimated to be $1 million the source said.
Attempts to contact Carpere Canada about the Valley View site were unsuccessful prior to publication.
The full article and photos can be viewed online at
https://www.mjindependent.com/new-blog/2024/6/12/valleyview-property-being-destroyed-by-trespassers
