Victoriaville Demolition Postponed to May
THUNDER BAY — The demolition of Victoriaville Centre has been pushed back to late May due to the complexity of the project, but the overall revitalization timeline remains on track.
Originally scheduled to begin in April, the teardown was delayed after city officials granted contractors an additional two weeks to finalize their bids. Aaron Ward, the city’s manager of engineering, said the tender deadline—initially set for March 27—has been extended to April 10.
“This will allow the city to work through the tariff situation and also give contractors more time to coordinate all the various aspects of the project,” Ward told Newswatch on Thursday.
Ward emphasized the unique nature of the project. Unlike past developments where separate contracts were awarded for demolition, roadwork, and renovations, the Victoriaville project will be managed under a single general contractor who will subcontract specialized work to various trades.
“This meant contractors needed extra time to coordinate all the trades and finalize their total bid,” Ward explained.
Another contributing factor to the delay is the ongoing uncertainty surrounding tariffs related to the U.S.-Canada trade relationship.
“We’re trying to understand exactly how these tariffs are affecting this project,” Ward said. “Contractors are now evaluating where to source their materials—whether from Canada, the U.S., or elsewhere—to get the best price.”
He added that even if some products, like windows, are manufactured in Canada, components or materials may still come from the U.S., which affects overall costs.
Despite the bidding extension, Ward confirmed the project’s completion date remains unchanged. The city still anticipates reopening Victoria Avenue and surrounding storefronts to the public by October 2026.
Businesses currently operating within Victoriaville—such as Thrive Fitness, Victoriaville Physiotherapy Centre, and Sweet Cherry Spa—will remain accessible throughout the demolition.
“We’ll ensure customers know how to access those businesses,” Ward said. “Some will have alternate entrances, like from Justice Avenue or through the Chapple’s building.”
