The demolition of Wellesley’s 100-year-old Hardy Elementary School building began on Tuesday, July 9, as seen in this dramatic footage of the chimney going down.
(Thank you to a Swellesley reader for sharing these videos… and to another reader for letting us know the demo had begun: That’s how we crowdsource!)
View this post on Instagram
Please support local journalism
The school system is prepping for the August opening of the new Hardy building adjacent to the old.
The 18-classroom, all-new construction 80,039 square-foot Hardy building is designed for an enrollment of 365 students, with the flexibility for space to be reconfigured to include a 19th classroom in the case of a “bubble” year. The design includes purpose-built spaces for the district-wide Skills Program, a highly individualized and modified curriculum for students with autism spectrum disorder and/or other related disabilities that present with similar challenges.
The project is estimated to cost more than $72M, with a Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) reimbursement that will keep the town’s share under $60M.
Grew up a block away on Lawrence Rd. Attended from 1962-69. A lot of fun days; baseball, kickball, sledding and summer rec. Even climbed on the roof a few times. Good bye old friend!
Oh my God. That was my elementary school. Oh Lord please tell me it’s not true