Sport Newfoundland and Labrador (SNL) president Doug Fowler is "more than encouraged" by Clyde Jackman's response to concerns over the condition of the building housing SNL offices along with those of about a dozen provincial sport-governing bodies.

Jackman, the province's Tourism Recreation and Culture minister, was the keynote speaker Friday night to open SNL's annual general meeting in St. John's, and Fowler said Jackman "put his whole agenda aside and talked about the problems with the building."

The SNL offices are located in a 67-year-old building on East White Hills Road in Pleasantvillle. SNL and several sport-governing bodies have been forced to evacuate the premises due to, among other things, a mould problem.

But toxic mould isn't the only issue for users of the building. Others include cleanliness standards, poor ventilation and air quality, rodent and bird feces in the eaves and an electrical system that's said to be working beyond its maximum capacity.

Fowler said the problems with the old building was "quite a hot topic.

"The minister assured us that he would take it into his hands," said the SNL president, who added that Jackman "has been on-side" all along," and appeared to be "genuinely angry" about the current situation that exists at the building, which was constructed in 1942.

Fowler said SNL will send Jackman a follow-up letter outlining its concerns and asking "for certain timelines for things to be done.

"The minister also talked about the reorganization of their department and their new sports strategy in which they will partner with health," said Fowler.

"Sport Newfoundland and Labrador is a real important cog in that wheel and he (Jackman) knows that."

Krista Sullivan was re-elected SNL treasurer, while board of directors elected were Trevor Paine and Eugene Tricket, both returnees, along with newcomer Dave Noftall.

Fowler is in the second year of a two-year term as president.

jbrowne@thetelegram.com