'The building can't continue to stand': Coultrap demolition begins in Geneva

GENEVA After the first stage of demolition began Monday at the former Coultrap school, Glorianne Campbell went over and peeked through the construction fence.

Campbell and her husband, Colin, had been staunch opponents of Geneva School District 304s decision to raze the 90-year-old building at 1113 Peyton St., lobbying officials at meetings and speaking out in favor of preservation.

But now, Campbell said, the focus is coming up with a plan to memorialize the building and the educator for whom it was named Harry Coultrap, the districts first superintendent.

The building cant continue to stand and I have to accept that, Glorianne Campbell said. We will have something so people in the future will know Coultrap. Im just sad. The quality of the materials that went into that building are exquisite, and they dont build things like that any more.

Alpine Demolition Services of Batavia began the demolition process Monday, beginning work inside the building to get it ready for razing. Officials said in a week or two, giant claws attached to excavators will take chunks of the building out until it is completely gone. Demolition is expected to be completed before the start of the 2013-14 school year.

When it actually starts to happen, maybe I dont want to watch, Campbell said. Ill see when the time comes.

When the original Coultrap building opened as Geneva High School in 1923, it had a principal, nine teachers, one secretary, two or three telephones and room for 300 students, according to a history of the school.

Coultrap was dedicated as a junior high in 1958, became a middle school in 1968 and was converted to an elementary school in 1994 before being closed in 2009 so its students could attend the new Williamsburg Elementary School.

The Superintendents Facility Task Force recommended the building be demolished and school officials affirmed that, saying the building was too expensive to keep or maintain.

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'The building can't continue to stand': Coultrap demolition begins in Geneva