A simple wrecking ball would probably get the job done sooner, but demolishing buildings is not what it used to be.
The destruction and removal of 85-year-old George Pringle School is in full swing, but it will take a while.
That's because it's being done more methodically than it might have been done in the past.
Materials aren't just smashed to the ground, they are pulled apart and separated.
"The separation procedure takes substantially longer," said Barry Barnes of Napp Enterprises.
Napp has the demolition job at George Pringle in West Kelowna.
We watched crews sort metals into two different categories.
"We have the heavier stuff and we have the lighter stuff that goes out as shred," said Barnes.
"This single-storey section," explained Barnes, "if we were just to trash it and demolish it we could do it in probably three days, this section right here probably 11 (days)."
A lot of the sorting that goes on is simply part of the rules.
"The landfills have mandated separation," he said, but he's not complaining. "It's a good thing," he added.
It reduces the amount of waste substantially, and people notice it when they pass the job site.
"It's always good to have people notice it for sure."
And some of the material offsets the cost of the work.
"It does compliment the business as well," said Barnes.
Not only is he the owner of the company, but he was also at the controls of the demolition excavator on Wednesday.
There is another good thing about this kind of work.
It can be fun.
"Yeah, you work out your frustrations by noon for sure," said Barnes.
Construction of the new school is expected to begin next year.
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