MONCTON, N.B. – The deconstruction of the old Highfield Square mall in Moncton is officially underway.
The mall is being torn down to make way for the proposed downtown entertainment centre.
Moncton mayor George LeBlanc used to work at the mall’s movie theatre as a teenager and was at the site today to swing the ceremonial first sledgehammer.
He calls it a ‘bittersweet’ day.
“I spent many, many hours here when I was younger and really came to love this place. I hope somewhere along the line, if the marquee stays up, we’ll put up a new sign that will say ‘Opening Soon’”
Work is now underway inside the old mall, but pedestrians and drivers likely won’t notice much of a difference until the building starts to come down in about four weeks.
Deconstruction work is expected to be complete by the end of the year.