The Great Bend City Council Monday night approved the hiring of Nelson Stone to demolish the historic old opera house at the corner of Forest and Williams in downtown Great Bend.It had been declared unfit for use since part of its exterior collapsed last December. But, the building has been deteriorating for years.It is also known as the Pitcock building since it is owned by a Hays couple, David and Barbara Pitcock. The city has gone round and round with the Pitcocks in an effort to either have the structure renovated or razed.However, despite city-issued ultimatums, nothing was done.