News release

Temporary Closure of Public Archives Building

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

TOURISM, CULTURE AND HERITAGE--Temporary Closure of Public Archives Building


The Public Archives building on University Avenue in Halifax has been closed temporarily due to health and safety concerns.

A small amount of asbestos was released into the air on Friday, April 1, when workers were taking apart an old work table located in the basement of the building. Experts are now ensuring that all areas of the building are inspected and cleaned before reopening.

"It is essential to err on the side of caution when it involves the health and safety of employees and the public," Brian Speirs, provincial archivist, said today, April 5. "Once all required cleaning is finished and testing confirms the building is safe, the archives will reopen."

The contaminant was released into the air briefly during work to prepare the basement for installation of an archival film cold storage unit. The basement room was immediately sealed, the building's air handling system shut down, and experts were called in.

Staff at the archives were quickly evacuated and are now working elsewhere until the building is reopened.

The public archives building is expected to reopen the week of April 11.