The mayor of Elliot Lake, Ont., says the demolition of the mall where two people died last year is bittersweet.

Rick Hamilton says the mall has always had a close relationship with people who work in the community.

But last June's roof collapse has left a lot of bad memories and many residents have told him it's time to remove the Algo Centre Mall from the town's landscape.

City officials expect it will take about two months to finish the work.

Hamilton says he doesn't know what will happen with the land where the Algo mall was located, saying it's privately owned.

A new mall is being built elsewhere in the community.

The collapse has sparked a $30-million lawsuit, an investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police and a public inquiry.