The original 1912 two-storey Aldergrove Elementary school building came under the wrecking ball on Tuesday morning.

The building had been a landmark and a heritage site, however, the estimated $2 million cost of removing asbestos and bringing it up to current building code brought about the Township’s decision to demolish it instead.

MWL Demolition made quick work of tearing down the gymnasium and annex buildings at the Aldergrove Elementary school site, Monday. Demolition debris is being stacked in piles and ground up on site for recycling or disposal.

Contractors with heavy equipment are ripping apart the old buildings to make way for the Aldergrove Recreation Centre planned for the former school site.

Langley Township purchased the property several years ago from Langley School District with the intention of constructing a new community centre here.

Initial plans had included the heritage building in the new rec centre but the costs were prohibitive and council decided to put those funds into the rec centre construction instead.