Everything has its time
By Verna Thompson
ESTON —In the mid-90s, as publisher of the former Eston Press, I spent a lot of time watching elevator demolitions at area points between Lacadena and Snipe Lake.
These were never joyful occasions as I was witness to pieces of local history being erased from the landscape.
Last week I attended yet another demolition when the former United Grain Growers house on the outskirts of Eston bit the dust, literally, shortly after eight in the morning.
Down it comes. A prominent landmark has disappeared from the town of Eston's horizon. Demolition of the Eston elevator took place early Thursday morning, August 13. Dust rolls across the yard as the structure settles into a pile beside the waiting haul truck. PHOTO BY LOREEN BUSKELL
After the dust had settled, again literally, I had the chance to speak with Zane Bedraz, who drove one of the two excavators used in the operation.
Zane is the son of Adair Bedraz, owner of Adair's Demolition, who has been in the demolition business for 45 years. Zane himself was involved in his first house demolition when he was just five years old and has worked with the company through his growing up years and full time since his high school graduation "10 or 11 years ago."
The company, based in Southey, Saskatchewan, works largely in-province "from border to border." In all, including site preparation, demolition and clean up, the crew will be in Eston for two or three weeks.
I asked Zane to take me through the demolition process.
The day we spoke was the third day on the job, he said.
Before demolition the site must be prepared by removing the office, the drive shed and the scale. Concrete in the way of the drop zone is also removed.
Two large excavators modified for the job are used in the demolition. "We have a full plan to ensure safety," Zane said. "Wedges are cut out of the building so in effect it brings itself down. It's like cutting a large tree," he said.
Following demolition as much material as possible is recycled. Everything above and below ground is removed fully and the site restored to its pre-elevator condition.
I asked Zane if demolishing a landmark bothers him. He said no because it is a safety issue and removing a disused building makes the area safer for the nearby railroad and for the public.
My father, who was one of the most sentimental people I know, once said to me when I was lamenting having to get rid of some childhood keepsakes, that I should keep things as long as they are useful and let them go when they are of no more use to me.
Over the years I've come to realize that Dad was right.
That applies to other things in life – houses and cars and old pots and pans – and yes, elevators too.