Thousands upon thousands of bricks came tumbling down as part of the former Grace hospital demolition job, but now the city is offering a few to the public to commemorate the historic building where many Windsorites caught their first glimpse of day.
City engineer Mario Sonego said about 300 bricks were carefully collected, dusted off and set aside. Just over 100 have already been promised to the Grace nursing Class of 1965 and the Grace Hospital Nurses Alumni.
An invitation is expected to go out next week for members of the public to call 311 and register for one of the remaining souvenir bricks, complete with a commemorative document.
It’s free, and the bricks will be distributed through a lottery draw of names collected. Asked why, given the huge number of bricks that came crashing down with the wrecking ball, more weren’t collected, Sonego responded because there’s a big demolition job underway and the city doesn’t want to get in the way.
And there’s potentially more good news for Windsor brick collectors.
Administration is looking into a request by Ward 6 Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac on a possible similar souvenir giveaway of bricks that used to belong to the old Riverside Arena. On hearing of the Grace bricks, Gignac pointed out at Monday night’s council meeting that a similar horde had been collected after that arena’s demolition.
“It’s a great way for people to remember another important building,” said Gignac. “It’s a significant place in the hearts of many Windsorites,” she said of the former east-side hockey shrine.
dschmidt@windsorstar.com or on Twitter: @schmidtcity
