The old Royal Victoria hospital fell into ruin

Eric Yvan Lemay

Thursday, February 1, 2018 01:00

UPDATE
Thursday, February 1, 2018 01:00

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The old Royal Victoria hospital, closed for nearly three years, is in a sorry state. The water seeped in very many rooms, walls and ceilings are smashed and there are traces of vandalism.

The heritage building, located on the southern flank of mount Royal in Montreal, celebrates its 125 years this year. Even if the employees and the patients have left the premises to the new hospital of the McGill university health Centre (MUHC) in April 2015, the provincial government still does not know what will be the next function of the building of the Pine avenue West (see another text).

Our Bureau of investigation was able to penetrate easily this week, just by pushing a door.

Inside, the show gives cold in the back. Water infiltration have literally disfigured by many locals, including laboratories. Simple waste bins have been installed to recover the water that flows in several places. Traces of mildew are visible on walls and ceilings. There are also some equipment that will rust quietly.

Smells horrible

In several places, smells horrible floating in the air, not to mention the presence of asbestos in a number of the walls like ghost of the old hospital.

The author of these lines was able to walk through several floors of the hospital for over an hour without seeing anyone. The doors of almost all the premises are open and access is easy.

In some places, there are traces of other visitors. Thus, under a laboratory hood dragged a can of beer empty. Elsewhere, we find graffiti, an old pack of cigarettes, garbage bags and even a soccer ball.

However, the direction of the MUHC has assured us by email that four security officers make rounds of all the pavilions at least three times per day.

Uncertain future

Dinu Bumbaru, Héritage Montréal, compares the situation to what we saw after Chernobyl, or more recently, the bankruptcy of the city of Detroit, where hundreds of buildings have been left abandoned.

“In a way, this is terrible, and lamentable, but this is not necessarily a surprise,” said the one who had already expressed its concerns in the past.

The spokesperson for the MUHC, said steps are being taken to reduce the risk of deterioration.

“If an infiltration is detected, we make sure we correct the situation. Depending on the scope of the work, there may be some delay before their completion, ” says Gilda Salomone.

The Royal Victoria hospital in brief

• Built in 1893 with a gift of$ 1 Million from two wealthy businessmen, Lord Strathcona and Lord Mount Stephen and Lord
• The two men wanted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the reign of queen Victoria
• Designed by the English architect Henry Saxon Snelly
• Enlarged several times during its 123 years of existence
• Closed in April 2015
• Some of the rooms are still used, particularly to accommodate migrants