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Damages at Melcor Centre offices. (Photos supplied by AUPE)

AUPE concerned about flooding, other issues at Melcor Centre offices

Apr 26, 2022 | 10:19 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Union officials say that the owners of a downtown Lethbridge office building need to do more than “trying to put a Band-Aid on like a gushing wound.”

Darren Graham, Vice President of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), says several issues have occurred in the Melcor Centre offices, in which they represent workers.

AUPE represents approximately 250 employees who work in Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Children’s Services locations in the building.

Graham tells LNN that, on Sunday, April 24, 2022, these offices had their fourth flood in as many months.

He knows of at least eight major floods since 2014.

“There’s a multitude of concerns going on in the building. We’ve had individuals stuck in elevators before. You know, there’s rodent infestation[s] in parts of the building. We’ve had mold issues going on, and now with these latest four floods in the last four months, we’re really concerned about that happening again.”

As of this publication, there have been no reports of staff or clients getting hurt. However, with children frequently attending some of the affected locations, Graham is concerned about the potential for danger.

“Those tiles can weigh up to 50 pounds each and logged with water, I mean, we’re talking some serious weight that could come down and, you know, potentially not only seriously harm somebody, but it can kill a small child, quite frankly, and that’s not acceptable.”

“Children and parents visit the Children’s Services department frequently and Albertans visit the AHS facility regularly. We call on the government and AHS to act now before someone is hurt.”

When we talked to a spokesperson with Melcor on Monday afternoon, they were not even aware of any recent complaints regarding flooding or other structural issues.

In a statement issued to LNN on Tuesday morning, Melcor said they found that the flood was caused by an Air Eliminator that was installed by a tenant in their space.

“Our property manager had a plumber come in to shut off the Air Eliminators, but could not access the one in AUPE’s space as it was locked.”

The spokesperson went on to say that they have remediated the office and will work with an environmental company to ensure that the space is safe and healthy.

“We pride ourselves on responding quickly and professionally whenever a tenant notes an issue, and we will make it right for the tenant.”

Melcor’s spokesperson continues to state that AHS has its own property managers and its own issue reporting system, so Melcor’s normal property manager, Braemore Management, is generally not involved unless there is damage to a common area. AUPE reached out to Braemore regarding this weekend’s flooding.

Hadyn Place, Acting Chief of Staff for the Alberta Ministry of Infrastructure, says the government is working to aid impacted staff members.

“Government of Alberta staff located on the impacted first and second floors have been directed to work from home. Emergency accommodation plans are being implemented, including the possibility that some staff may be temporarily relocated to the Lethbridge Provincial Building. Government of Alberta staff on other floors of the Melcor Lethbridge Centre not impacted by the flooding continue to work in the building.”

Despite the progress made, AUPE maintains that “this old building simply cannot be fixed.” They will continue to push the provincial government into looking for new locations in the city.

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