The first steps of the renovation project at Pella Christian Grade School are beginning to take shape.

Demolition on the expanded site began with a red house on the adjacent property Monday, and students had a chance to watch the transformation of the area surrounding the current building.

The total estimate for the entire renovation project is $13,550,000. Groundbreaking for each phase of the building project will not commence until 42% of the final construction cost estimated for that phase is available, cash on hand. In addition to cash on hand, a minimum of 85% of the final construction cost estimate for that phase must be pledged.

The goal is to have the third phase complete by the start of the 2018-2019 school year.