Demolition of the decades-old J.H. Sissons School was underway on Tuesday as excavators brought down the back end of the building.
After students attended the school for the last time earlier this year, a farewell ceremony was held on June 26, where education officials and former students spoke about their time at the school, which was built in 1975.
The hazardous material removal and abatement process began shortly afterwards, with the building appearing increasingly gutted over the summer months.
The demolition is expected to be completed by Oct. 1, said Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment spokesperson Greg Hanna. KBL Environmental was awarded the abatement and demolition contract for $1 million.
A decision was made to tear down and rebuild the building due to significant wear and tear. The new school will be built on the same site. Its completion date is estimated to be in August 2022, according to the GNWT.
Sissons students were integrated into William McDonald School for the new school year, increasing student numbers there to about 400, said former Yellowknife Education District No. 1 superintendent Metro Huculak.