Everything was back to normal at Dartmouth’s Shannon Park Elementary School on Wednesday, the day after students were kept off the playground while the school waited for air quality test results.
Parents had expressed concerns about dust from the demolition of the old military housing units, as part of the redevelopment of Shannon Park on the Dartmouth Waterfront.
"A few, but it's more because their children have respiratory issues, which obviously is a concern," says parent Shawna Young.
A letter from the school principal was sent home with students to reassure parents.
"All air quality samples taken thus far are within acceptable limits. We have requested that the results from air quality testing are shared with us. Canada Lands has guaranteed that the results will be shared with us," said the letter.
The test results came back clean and at least one parent is satisfied.
"I didn't notice it until yesterday when I came to pick up one of the kids at 2:15. It's bound to happen, they're demolishing buildings." says one parent.
The principal doesn't expect any further interruptions of playground time. Dust abatement equipment was at work, even on a rainy day.
The buildings are now being demolished rapidly, after a long process of decontamination from asbestos and other materials.
Not only is the redevelopment a chance for economic advancement, it will also mean a return to indigenous land, now being held in trust by the Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs.
Millbrook Chief Bob Gloade has been on-site explaining plans for the portion of this site reclaimed by the First Nation.
"We're looking at approximately 8.8 acres of our land development. We're looking at acquiring additional lands from Canada Lands, about six acres," says Chief Gloade.
A 16-year process of negotiation and planning has also resulted in a plan for recreational space.
"We've also signed an MoU with Halifax Port Authority for the infilling of up to 20 acres of the harbour for future development as well," says Chief Gloade.
Construction of the Millbrook phase of the project could begin sometime next year.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Ron Shaw.