Alberta Infrastructure says all current Edmonton public and Catholic school renovations are on schedule despite the province’s move to defer $260 million in school construction spending this year.
At least nine Edmonton schools are undergoing, or have recently undergone, a major modernization or addition. A week before school is set to begin for the year, work proceeds on many buildings where children will soon be learning.
Late last week, the front entrances of Archbishop O’Leary Catholic High School in Edmonton’s northeast were fenced off as workers prepared to pour new concrete paths on the front lawn. At Caernarvon Elementary School in Castle Downs, a peek through a windowless room near the school’s front entrance revealed workers drywalling a recently gutted portion of the school.
Meanwhile, 12 school modernization projects planned across the province, including St. Edmund Catholic Elementary/Junior High School in the Calder neighbourhood and Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Mill Woods “have the potential to be delayed” by deferred spending, Infrastructure Minister Brian Mason’s press secretary, Aileen Machell, said in an email to Postmedia.
“Funding for schools is being deferred between 1-3 years depending on the degree of challenges being faced by the project. If a project proceeds faster than anticipated, there is always the opportunity to move money forward from later years as well,” Machell wrote.
Work on Holy Trinity and St. Edmund is on track as far as Edmonton Catholic Schools is concerned, spokeswoman Lori Nagy said.
Change of site, contractor delays, the Fort McMurray wildfire, and supply issues are reasons why the 12 projects, announced in 2014 and 2015, may fall behind schedule, Machell said.
Furthermore, the government is still grappling with the fallout from the previous Progressive Conservative government announcing 200 school construction projects in 2014 and 2015 before proper planning occurred, she said.
The PC government’s handling of those bulk school construction announcements earned it a rebuke from the auditor. About half of the 200 school construction projects announced by the previous government are delayed.
In response to concerns about school construction management, the infrastructure ministry created a website that includes basic information about the status of each project.
Here’s a roundup of the school renovations underway in Edmonton:
Caernarvon Elementary School expansion and modernization, 14820 118 St. NW
Announced: Jan. 21, 2014
Current status: Workers are finishing the interior of the existing school, and a steel frame has been added to the back of the building.
Estimated completion date: November 2018
Cost: $9.6 million
In addition to updating the existing building, an expansion will add five classrooms, four new modular classrooms, flex space and a music room.
Holy Trinity Catholic High School, 7007 28 Ave. NW
Announced: October 2014
Current Status: Design
Estimated completion date: “To be determined,” according to Alberta Infrastructure. In October 2015, the government predicted a completion date of January 2018, which was four months later than initially planned. Three construction trailers are on the site, but no work is visible from the exterior.
Cost: $14.3 million
Initially planned as an addition to accommodate 350 more high school students, Edmonton Catholic Schools earlier this year asked to expand the planned addition to accommodate 500 more students, to a total of 1,200 students.
Louis St. Laurent Catholic Junior High/High School, 11230 43 Ave. NW
Announced: Jan. 21, 2014
Current Status: Work complete as of March 2017 — six months behind schedule
Cost: $15.6 million
The major modernization included upgrades to mechanical, electrical, technology, roof, floors, ceilings, interior finishes, science labs, arts, drama, dance and music studios, and added a cosmetology lab.
Lillian Osborne High School, 2019 Leger Rd. NW
Announced: Feb. 10, 2014
Current Status: Site work continues outside the school
Completion Date: Alberta Infrastructure’s website says December 2016, Edmonton Public Schools’ website says September 2017. A district spokeswoman said work is complete, but did not give a date.
Cost: $20 million
The expansion adds space for 600 more students, including four more classrooms, an enhanced theatre, more space for special education, a multipurpose room, and career and technology studies lab.
J. H. Picard Catholic Junior High/High School, 7055 99 St. NW
Announced: Jan. 21, 2014
Current Status: Completed in March 2017. Government said in October 2015 project was delayed by six months.
Cost: $13 million
The reno brings a new main entrance and reconfigured office. The cafeteria moved to the second floor from the main floor, and the weight room, trades lab, and sound and editing studio were upgraded. Work also included mechanical, electrical, window, door and roof replacements.
Alberta School for the Deaf, 6240 113 St. NW
Announced: Jan. 21. 2014
Current status: Under construction
Estimated completion: September 2018
Cost: $28 million
New additions and west wing renovations are ready for students this September. Renovations to the rest of the building will occur in phases during the next year.
Vimy Ridge Academy, 8205 90 Ave. NW
Announced: Jan. 21, 2014
Current Status: Major work complete as of May, some touch-ups ongoing. Completion was delayed eight months from original estimate.
Cost: $32.6 million
Carried out in phases, the 1950s-era Vimy Ridge building received upgraded mechanical and electrical systems; energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems; and technological upgrades. The adjacent Bonnie Doon pool is also getting a makeover, and redevelopment has begun on Dermott District Park to accommodate the LRT line.
Ross Sheppard High School, 13546 111 Ave. NW
Announced: Jan. 21, 2014
Current Status: Construction was delayed two years from the project’s original timeline. Construction trailers are gathered at the school’s east end, and work is visible throughout the building.
Estimated completion date: September 2018
Cost: $45 million
A new gym has been added to the school, along with a new parking lot and drop-off area. Classrooms will be renovated in phases throughout the school year.
St. Edmund Catholic Elementary/ Junior High School, 11712 130 Ave. NW
Announced: October 2014
Current Status: In design
Estimated completion date: “To be determined,” according to Alberta Infrastructure
Cost: $9.8 million
A letter went home to parents in June saying early years programs, Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2 students will be attending classes in rented space in Kensington school this fall as renovations begin.
Archbishop O’Leary Catholic High School, 8760 132 Ave. NW
Announced: Jan 21, 2014
Current Status: Workers and equipment are on the grounds, pouring concrete paths and landscaping.
Estimated completion date: September 2017
Cost: $18.2 million
A revamped O’Leary features a newly covered courtyard, new kitchen and servery, modernized art, dance, cosmetology, fashion and food labs, a new sound and editing studio, along with electrical, mechanical, door, floor, ceiling, technology and other upgrades and replacements.
By Janet Frenchjfrench@postmedia.com
Twitter.com/jantafrench