The remains of 125 bodies, many of them children, have been removed from Western Fair Association property and work on the fair's new $13.5-million agricultural building is "charging ahead," general manager Gary McRae says. "The whole construction site is clear," but archeologists are still looking for human remains on the west side of the property, away from the construction area, he said. McRae said construction was able to resume after the fair reached agreement with the representative of the dead in late December.

The site was a Methodist cemetery that was closed in 1879 after 1,200 bodies were transferred to Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

As it turns out, some bodies were missed.

The discovery of bones Oct. 31 at the Rectory Street site halted construction and triggered an investigation by police and the coroner's office and an intervention by the Ontario registrar of cemeteries.

Ontario regulations required Western Fair to hire archeologists to gather the remains and give descendants an opportunity to claim them.

After no relatives came forward, the United Church of Canada agreed to act as representative of the deceased.

An agreement was reached for the relocation of the remains, said McRae, adding the fair association is bearing all related costs.

The total bill for dealing with the remains hasn't been calculated, McRae said.

He estimated the cost at $700,000 in the fall, but said this month the tab could be half that amount.

Jim Wilson of Archaeologix Inc. said his company had discovered 450 grave shafts and unearthed the remains of 24 complete skeletons and parts of 101 bodies.

Rev. Bob Ripley of Metropolitan United Church couldn't be reached for comment on where the remains will now rest.

McRae said he wouldn't speak for the representative of the deceased.