Sands of time slipping away for local landmark turned eyesore

Say your goodbyes to the once-thriving Sands.

Despite its current state and appearance, it was once a thriving hot spot where many locals spent their weekend nights in decades past dining and dancing the night away in the Library Lounge.

Now, it's only a matter of time. If everything goes as expected, the Sands will be demolished this week.

See related: So long, Sands?

In March, Sturgeon Falls-based Ed Seguin and Sons Trucking and Paving Ltd. was awarded the nearly $150,000 contract for demolition work and clean-up at two locations, the former Sands at 366 McIntyre St. East and a dilapidated house at 358 McIntyre St. East. 

According to the City,  the contracted abatement process was completed Friday and demolition is expected to start this week. The demolition will begin with the former motel and then move to the house.

Public outcry over the deteriorating building and lack of safety in and around the former Sands motel located on the corner of McIntyre East and Fisher, coupled with the City of North Bay's prolonged negotiation with the owners involving property standard sanctions led to this point. A planned housing development did not come to fruition and the property languished for several years.

See also: Like 'The Sands' through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives

And: Fire at former Sands could have been 'much worse'

The initial deadline for the demolition of May 2020 was pushed back to November 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the City. When that deadline was not met, the City stepped in to "bring the property into conformity. The award of this contract will result in the removal of two vacant buildings that remain in a state of disrepair."