The demolition process of the former Weyburn Junior High building has been underway for the past two weeks. But before it can be torn down, the contractor is clearing the work zone, and the air in the vicinity, of dangerous materials.

“Right now, we have a HASMAT team on site, removing all of the hazardous materials from the Junior High,” said Andy Dobson, Manager of Facilities and Transportation with Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division. “Some of those are asbestos, vermiculite, there’s some mercury and things like that. So all of those components will be removed.”

Dobson said the removal of hazardous waste should be completed by mid-August.

“We’re hoping we can gain a little bit on the schedule, and it may be a little bit earlier,” he noted. “Then, the demolition of the building will take place right after that.”

He also said that the school division is doing due diligence to ensure the project is environmentally friendly.

“We don’t want to put a bunch of hazardous materials out at the landfill,” he said. “Even with our demolition, we’re going to be separating the components. We want to have as little impact on the landfill as possible.”

He said their goal is to have the full demolition completed by mid-September.