Sometimes, we can’t fully understand the danger of a toxic agent like mold until it destroys something dear to us.

The Astrolabe Theatre on Nepean Point has long been one of the most beloved attractions in our nation’s capital, Ottawa, Ontario.  It’s famous for the views it provides of the city and for its amphitheatre, which seats roughly 700 people.

But the City of Ottawa has to say goodbye to the historic building. The reason: proper attention wasn’t paid to mold removal. It’s too late now. The building is saturated with toxic mold and asbestos. The National Capital Commission has decided to demolish it.

As NCC spokeswoman Judith Gabois-St-Cyr explained, water infiltration was a key part of the building’s deterioration. The overly moist environment became a breeding ground for mold.

Could a proper mold inspection have saved the Astrolabe Theatre? It’s tough to say; the building is 30 years old. But an earlier commitment from building officials just might have caught it in time. Instead, the theatre is simply too overcome not just with mold, but also with carcinogenic asbestos fibres – especially in the service building and in the former dressing rooms for performers.

The site will be remediated; it hasn’t yet been decided what new attraction will replace the Astrolabe Theatre. The demolition schedule isn’t official yet but $1 million has been devoted to it for 2011-12.

Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area can learn a valuable lesson from the Astrolabe Theatre’s demise: historical buildings may be beautiful, but they’re also at major risk for mold and other hazardous materials. If we want to keep them intact and enjoy them forever, periodic assesments from a mold inspection and removal company are a prudent idea.

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