A controversial smoking shelter built illegally next to a retirement home in St. Malo is about to be torn down.

"I'll take that as a win," says Mike, whose mother is a resident at Chalet Malouin. Mike asked that his last name not be published in order to protect the identity of his mother.

According to Mike, a resident of the retirement home had the smoking shelter built last fall. The intent was to give residents a place to smoke without needing to battle the elements of a harsh Manitoba winter. He says at one point the shelter had shag carpet with extension cords running in for lighting. It is located just off one of the exits, meaning residents need to pass through it when coming or going. Mike says there was also a door on the shelter, though it was ordered to be removed earlier this spring.

"It's just a nightmare, it's a health and tripping hazard," adds Mike, who says his mother is in her mid-80s, blind in one eye, uses a walker and has had at least one close call where she nearly stumbled while walking through there.

A building inspector for the Rural Municipality of De Salaberry has confirmed this smoking shelter was never built legally. He says not only does the structure not belong there, but all of that smoke now funnels back into the building, becoming a health concern for residents inside.

flow of traffic and he shudders to think what could happen if there was a fire.

According to the Manager, the smoking shelter was actually built at one of their designated smoking areas on the grounds. Once the shelter is gone, that will continue to be a designated smoking area, however, it will continue to be illegal to smoke within nine metres of that building.