The Ontario government plans to establish a special office in Elliot Lake to co-ordinate recovery efforts from a devastating and fatal mall collapse last month.

In a July 3 release, the city's emergency management team said the municipality and local chamber of commerce are working with the province to minimize the economc impact from the partial roof collapse of the Algo Centre Mall, the community's main retail and civic hub.

A section of the mall's roof collapsed June 23 killing two people. A criminal investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police is underway and Premier Dalton McGuinty has ordered a public inquiry.

Due to safety concerns, the city said it may be several weeks before property and belongings are returned to business owners, tenants and residents. The mall remains closed as provincial police continue to collect evidence.

“The process of returning the property to the owners could take several weeks or even longer, and the future of the mall will not be determined for some time,” said the release.

Posted by Arron Pickard