The St. Clair Catholic District School Board awarded the contract for demolition of the old St. Patrick's High School on East St. Tuesday night.
Schouten Excavating Incorporated of Watford will undertake the project for $449,000.
Board Associate Director/Treasurer Jim McKenzie says the tear-down will begin almost immediately.
"It would be a fairly detailed project in terms of making sure all the proper things are done to take down the building," says McKenzie.
"The request that went out for proposals indicated a completion date by May 31, 2016."
McKenzie also says they are close to finalizing the sale of the closed school property to neighbouring Bluewater Health.
"We're hoping to conclude those discussions in the very near future," says McKenzie.
He says the hospital has a tentative agreement with the Sarnia Athletics Track and Field Club that, in the event of a sale, its needs regarding the adjoining track will be met for the next number of years.
Bluewater Health Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Operations Mike Lapaine says ownership of the site is vital to the future of the hospital.
