A project underway at Bluewater Health's Sarnia site will breathe new life into a structure that's served the community for over eight decades.
Director of Facilities and Support Services Jack Vanderveen said the first phase of the Russell building preservation project has started.
"We're sealing the west wall of the Russell building with a sealant, due to the age of the brick," said Vanderveen. "The brick is porous and over time those pores have become large enough that moisture is getting through, as well as some other cracks and crevasses."
In addition to applying the protective masonry coating -- to help seal and protect the building from the elements and extend the life of the building -- new caulking will be applied around windows and other gaps.
"The section that were on right now will take approximately two weeks and that's weather dependent," he said. "We hired Greenville Restoration Services. They specialize in restoration and are certified for the sealant that we selected for this wall."
Vanderveen said the first phase of the project, which is changing the colour of the building to a light neutral tone, will cost just over $50,000 and continue along the rest of the building as funding becomes available.
"The intent is to seal and it is a solid colour sealant. So, we had to pick a tint for that, and this is where we landed," he said.
The building was erected in 1944.
