The Bull Pen Pub and Eatery will have to find a new home, as the Old Creamery Building will be torn down following the early morning fire in May.

After an inspection of the Old Creamery Building in Okotoks following the May 8 fire, it appears the historic town landmark is beyond repair.

In addition to extensive structural damage from both the fire and the water used to fight the fire, asbestos has been discovered in the building.

Okotoks' Chief Administrative Officer, Rick Quail, says the added cost of removing the asbestos makes the price tag of a re-build far too high.

"The insurers are recommending, and Council has agreed to the demolition of the building," he says. "It is a public safety concern, and so we want to see the site levelled in a timely fashion to minimize any public safety issues."

Quail says the businesses occupying the century-old building, a child-care centre, an accounting office, and the Bull Pen Eatery and Pub, will all need to find new locations, although some have already done so.  

"I'm aware that one of the businesses, the child-care facility, has re-located," he says. "I believe the accounting office has also re-located, but I'm not sure of the status of re-location of the business operation for the Bull Pen Pub."

Quail says since the Town of Okotoks purchased the Old Creamery Building about a year ago, it still owns the land.

"Council's going to consult with the community around future use of that land," he says. "We have about a two-year window in order to decide and determine final use of the site."

In a release, Okotoks Mayor Bill Robertson says he and Council are "saddened at the loss of this historic building."

The investigation of the fire itself is still ongoing, as the cause was determined to be arson.