High school demolition begins this week

Demolition of the old Whitefish High School building began this week.

After the school year ended this spring, the old building was emptied. Some furniture, books, and teachers’ items were moved into the new building under construction to the south.

Since then, crews have worked to prep the old building for demolition, including toxic materials abatement inside the building and asbestos abatement of the roof on one wing. At the same time, work has continued on the construction of the new building.

“It’s all looking really good,” project manager Dow Powell said last week.

The entire construction project for the new school is budgeted at about $22.68 million. Voters two years ago approved a $14 million bond issue to construct the new school.

The district storage building on the east portion of the building was set to be torn down this week. Later in the week crews are expected to move onto demolition of the ‘A’ wing and then to the ‘C’ wing.

A portion of the old building will remain to undergo extensive remodeling. The former band, choir and industrial arts classrooms is currently being reconstructed to serve as the new arts and technology wing. The administration and foyer area in the old building also will be updated.

Once the old building is torn down, a new parking lot will be constructed in its place. Concrete block from the ‘C’ wing is expected to be ground down to create the sub-base for the new parking lot.

The new WHS is expected to be ready for teachers and staff in August before school begins on Sept. 2. Work will continue late into the fall to complete the new arts and technology wing adjacent to the gymnasium.