Winnipeg tenants evacuated from ‘potential disaster’ of apartment out for weeks to come

Residents of Birchwood Terrace — a building called a “potential disaster” by the City of Winnipeg Emergency Management officials — will have to wait until the end of July before they can clear out their suites after a forced evacuation that upended the lives of more than 200 people.

Those looking to move back into the Portage Avenue apartment have been told they will have to wait even longer — until the end of August — best case scenario. 

Des Kappel has been advocating for residents forced to move and says while he’s been able to find a new place, at great expense, many have not been so lucky. 

“It’s a challenge for some folks,” said Kappel. “For others, they’re really stuck.”  

Residents were told in a notice from Lakewood Agencies — a branch of Ladco Company Limited — there’s a chance they could visit their suites in mid-July to get smaller belongings.

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In the notice obtained by CityNews, it acknowledged the information may be “difficult news to hear.” Telling residents, “Accurately predicting dates requires information which we don’t have,” like the existing condition of all columns; speed of construction and a determination of what needs to be done to assure safety.

On Monday, several personnel from the Winnipeg Fire and Paramedic Service were on site conducting a “familiarization tour” to ensure crews can identify any hazards alongside entrance and exit points. 

For Kappel, the newly released dates are welcome, but called the entire situation “atrocious” saying that even when people are allowed to move their belongings, that too will bring with it more costs at an already hard time. 

“It’s just another financial blow really.”