Thorold, Ontario, Canada 27 July 2017 -- (From news reports) -- Any hope that the Georgia-Pacific paper mill in Thorold South could be restarted and the more than 100 people who used to work there rehired has been dashed.

Georgia-Pacific spokesperson Rick Kimble confirmed that the mill that produced paper used on the outside of drywall will be dismantled and the equipment inside liquidated.

"The decision has been made to go ahead and demolish it," he said from Atlanta on Monday. "We are definitely going to demo that site."

In January of 2014, Georgia-Pacific announced the Thorold plant that employed 109 people, and two other plants in Caledonia, Ontario, and in Arkansas, were being "idled" due to excess capacity. The company said at the time that there were no plans to sell them off.

Should the construction industry see rebound and push up demand for drywall, the company had the capability to restart production at the plants, said a company spokesperson at the time.

But Kimble said the company decided it can't keep the Thorold operation on Allanburg Road idle any longer, noting that even when it's gone quiet the plant costs money for things such as security, utilities and heating to prevent pipes from freezing.

"It was a pretty big expense," he said.

Kimble said the company has acquired a demolition permit from the city, but said before the demolish takes place the company typically liquidates equipment that can be sold off.

Georgia-Pacific has contracted Canadian firm Delsan AIM, headquartered in Montreal, to decommission the plant.

Delsan said on its website that it plans to carry out the demolition in an environmentally sound manner.

"Delsan AIM recognizes the historical significance that this paper mill once represented to the community and we are eager to do our part in helping this beautiful area 'prepare for the future,' " the company said.