Demolition at Whanganui Girls' College steps up a notch

Contractors have paused demolishing A Block at Whanganui Girls' College, to remove asbestos. Photo / File

Central Demolition has managed to remove asbestos from a Whanganui secondary school before the school term begins, owner Ian Butcher says.

Asbestos removal is a lengthy process, and it can only be done during school holidays.

The Feilding-based company is demolishing eight classrooms of the school's A Block. The asbestos was unexpected, and caused a delay.

To remove asbestos-lagged pipes between the floors of the block, each classroom had to be separately wrapped in polythene, with a negative air environment created inside.

After the pipes were removed the air was checked again. Monitoring came back negative, and the company has clearance to continue the demolition.

"We are super-pleased," Mr Butcher said.

The school's opening pōwhiri is on Monday, and the block was to have been gone by Friday. Mr Butcher planned to work hard through the weekend, and leave the facade intact for opening day.

"It will still look quite tidy," Whanganui Girls' College principal Tania King said.

After that it will take the contractors about two weeks to finish the job.