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VIA Rail Canada Jan. 19 announced plans to implode a terminal on York Street in London, Ontario, in preparation for a new station scheduled to open in summer.


"Project KaBOOM will be a block party with a bang-up finish," said Paul Raynor, VIA Rail director of public affairs, in a prepared statement. "We’re planning an event in which the whole community can participate."


VIA Rail and London Free Press are holding a citywide contest to select an individual to press the button triggering the implosion. Experts from Greenspoon Bros. Ltd., which is coordinating the building’s demolition, estimate the implosion would last about seven seconds; the dust would settle in about three minutes.


"You’ll be out of harm’s way," said Paul Greenspoon, senior vice president, operations. "But don’t be surprised if your whole body shakes."


The implosion is scheduled for the morning of Feb. 4; on Feb. 2, officials will unveil the new station’s design plans and draw the winning entry.