Out with old, in with new

Cheers and applause greeted the demolition of a Kelowna education institution, Friday.

Heavy machinery tore into St. Joseph's Hall, revealing the new St. Joe's Catholic school behind it.

Students and parents celebrated by having a demolition party, said spokesperson Holly Routley.

"We're here to say goodbye and celebrate all the years of service given to the community by these buildings," she said.

"For the last 20 years, we've been talking about what to do next," said construction task force leader Hal Spelliscy.

The brand new, $4.8-million school will open to students this fall. It will allow the school to grow by 100 pupils.

St. Joseph Elementary has operated from the same site for nearly 80 years.