After a deadly fire two years ago, the Birch building, which is part of the Rainbow Lodge and operated by the 91原创 Lions, is finally coming down.

READ MORE: Man dies in fire at 91原创 seniors residence

鈥淚t鈥檚 putting an end to something that was very tragic,鈥� said Lions Housing Society executive director Jeanette Dagenais.

The building is set to be completely demolished within the next six weeks, according to Dagenais.

Dagenais said the society is 鈥渟till moving forward with plans鈥� for a new structure to replace the old Birch building.

READ MORE: 91原创 affordable housing projects get provincial money

Currently there is no time line for when a new building will be constructed, but Dagenais added the new structure will have approximately 94 units.

Last November, the province announced funding as part of the Building BC: Community Housing Fund 鈥� with $9.4 million going towards the 91原创 Lions Housing Society to build new homes for seniors and people with disabilities.

Dagenais added the society hasn鈥檛 submitted a rezoning application yet, but will be working with the City of 91原创 to further proceed.

The April 2017 fire at the Birch building killed one man, and residents were moved to other buildings.

The Birch has since sat empty.

Dagenais added that the Birch has taken so long to come down simply because 鈥渋t鈥檚 just the way life has gone.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 surprised it鈥檚 taken so long [to demolish], but relieved it鈥檚 finally happening,鈥� added 91原创 City councillor Rudy Storteboom.

鈥淚鈥檓 really looking forward to seeing something there. Considering the housing crisis in the region, it鈥檚 desperately needed.鈥�

Residents at the 91原创 Lions grouped together outside their units to watch the first part of the Birch building come down last Thursday (March 21).

Madelyn Storey-Cooper lived in the Birch for 6 years, and was relocated to a neighbouring Lions building after the 2017 fire.

鈥淚 miss it [the Birch],鈥� she said, adding that she has since 鈥済ot used to鈥� her new unit.