EGMONT BAY - Demolition work on Egmont Bay's decommissioned Roman Catholic Church is set to resume this week.
The demolition was halted on Jan. 9 when the contractor, Leonce Arsenault, owner of Arsenault's Sawmill, was granted a 30-day suspension so he could work on a purchase proposal instead. By that time, a hole had already been punched through the front wall and the basement had been leveled with fill.
The demolition was subsequently extended further to allow Arsenault more time to work on his proposal, but on Saturday he advised the St. Philippe and St. Jacques Parish that he would not be proceeding with a purchase offer.
"He called and said the proposal he had in mind didn't fare out," said parish priest Fr. Eloi Arsenault. "After studying it and working hard at it he decided it's not feasible."
What the contractor was hoping to do with the church building was not disclosed, he said.
"It's not working for him, so he decided to take it down."
Preparations for demolition could take several days. Environmental laws and workers compensation requirements will have to be followed throughout the process, said Fr. Arsenault.
