Demolition of old Bloomer Elementary School begins

Bloomer (WQOW) -After five decades of dedication to education, demolition work began on an elementary school in Chippewa County Monday. The old bloomer elementary school first held classes for students back in 1961.

"I really enjoyed the time I was there," said Joe Lewis, a former student of the old Bloomer Elementary School.

As the walls crumbled, memories tumbled out of the minds of those who spent their childhood at classes in the old bloomer elementary school.

"Walking down the hallways and seeing these big halls, and gym at the end. Being a little kid, kind of not knowing and leery about what's going to happen," said Dawn Stewart-Bowden, another former student.

"Mostly I remember the cafeteria for some reason. We had our cafeteria and our gym in the same spot. And I think gym was probably my favorite class. We had really good teachers, and the lunch was always good," said Sarah Rothbauer, also a former student.

"It was really small class sizes, which was really nice because you could work one on one with teachers, so that really helped. And it was a fun place," Lewis added.

Parts of the 69,000 square foot structure will be recycled, and the building is expected to be completely torn down in just a few weeks.

"It's upsetting, I always saw my kids going there. I have a son now and I would have thought he would have gone there. I think the building is really in good shape, I thought maybe they could use it for something else. The playground is in awesome shape, but an upgrade is good," Rothbauer said.

"It's sad to see, but kind of excited because maybe it's bringing a new change to the community of Bloomer. New opportunities, new businesses, new growth," said Lewis.

The price tag for demolishing the building is expected to cost $115,000. However, the school was mud jacked in 1985 and because of that, the district says costs could go up. Superintendent Dr. Mary Randall says there has been an offer to buy on one parcel of land the school sits on. A second parcel is still for sale and may be divided into smaller pieces.

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Demolition of old Bloomer Elementary School begins