Elliot Lake residents continue to struggle following mall collapse

The horrific collapse of the Elliot Lake mall in June is something that's unlikely to stop reverberating in the small Ontario town for many years.

The town made national headlines for weeks after a partial structure failure at the Algo Centre Mall caused a section of the rooftop parking deck to crash through several levels to the ground floor.

Structural instability meant that rescue crews were also delayed in reaching the bodies of two women who died in the accident. Twenty other mall-goers received non-life-threatening injuries.

But now that the debris has settled, the Canadian Press writes that Elliot Lake's 13,500 residents are gearing up for a winter without a central shopping — or meeting — place.

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While plagued by leaks and water damage, the mall was reportedly the focal point for many townsfolk who found myriad uses for the indoor complex.

Sixty per cent of the town's retail space was lost when the ceiling crumbled.

In addition to shopping for goods, people liked to congregate socially and get their exercise in the heated corridors during frigid winter months.

"People have nowhere to go — that was their favourite place to be," local Melanie Lafontaine said.

"They liked to hang out there in the mall. That's just how people were."

The article quotes a number of residents who complain that senior citizens and those on fixed incomes have it the hardest, as they're unable to drive to other towns to access their retail stores.

One woman went as far as to say you can't even buy underwear in Elliot Lake anymore.

But a glance at some feedback this story has generated in commenter forums appears to paint a different picture.

A National Post reader with the handle "Elliot Laker" poked holes in the notion that people were living in dire straits, noting that a coach bus makes the rounds to nearby Espanola each Tuesday where residents can stock up on goods, and that local retailers have started stocking underwear even if it's not what they'd normally sell.

"Stop crying that we don't have a social gathering place, or places to buy things ... go to your buddies house and drink some java ... the next day he/she can visit you. As for shopping, there's no excuse there," read the comment.

"We are a strong community! We've faced many obstacles over the years, and we will survive this as well. It takes time... it can't happen over night," the poster added.

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Others pointed to Internet shopping as an interim option.

Despite the criticism, however, one reader suggested a little compassion and understanding were still due.

"I assume most of those posting have never been to or lived in a small remote community such as Elliot Lake," wrote a reader with the handle "sveks." "Losing the mall was much more than losing some retail space, the community has lost its meeting and social center. It would be nice if Canadians could be more gracious and giving."

No plans for a new mall have been announced as of yet, but a $30-million class action lawsuit on behalf of the victims is currently underway.