Public schools shell out $6 million on upgrades

Over the summer, the Algoma District School Board has been busy upgrading many of its schools.

Joe Santa Maria, the board's superintendent of business, told a board meeting this week that most of the projects are complete, but a few are still ongoing.

Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS) in Desbarats got a new sewage system but a watermain was broken in the process, causing delays in the projects going on there, Santa Maria said.

Superintendent Asima Vezina told trustees that the mysterious piles of dirt obstructing the view in the yard at CASS will eventually become gradually sloped grassy berms that won't impede the view at all.

Work continues at CASS on driveway paving and upgrades to the atrium, said Santa Maria.

Korah Collegiate and Vocational School, as well as White Pines also scored some upgrades that are nearly complete.

Vezina also gave an update on the progress of construction of three new schools.

She said all three schools should be fully enclosed before winter and are expected to open in time to accept students in September 2011.

Demolition of the Bawating Collegiate building is already underway inside the building.

The wrecking work is expected to begin in earnest in about a week and take about two or three months, Vezina said.

Media releases from the board on these two subjects follow.

************************* Summer capital/ building and grounds projects

Superintendent of Business Joe Santa Maria reviewed school renewal projects that were completed or nearly completed during 2009/2010.

Improvements were made at many schools throughout the district.

Total capital expenditures total approximately $6 million.

Good Places to Learn Projects expenditures totalled $2.5 million; facility renewal projects totalled $2.5 million and energy efficiency and green schools projects totalled $1 million.

Examples of these projects are boiler replacements, roof replacements, parking lot upgrades, energy metering and ventilation upgrades.

In addition, smaller projects that include normal repair and maintenance have been completed and amounted to $407,000.

Projects of this nature reflect smaller upgrades to our buildings and grounds such as painting, lighting and flooring upgrades.

************************* New schools update

Over the summer, progress has continued at all three new school construction sites, FH Clergue French Immersion School, Superior Heights Collegiate & Vocational School and the Hornepayne JK-12 School.

Superintendent Asima Vezina provided updates on the progress of each.

Superior Heights Collegiate & Vocational School

Over the course of the summer, work at Superior Heights has included steel being erected, brick and block work, framing of windows and doors, and roofing.

We understand from our contractor that the complete demolition process of the existing Bawating Collegiate building is expected to take two to three months.

The internal work began in August and the actual demolition should begin next week.

Meanwhile, Superior Heights students and staff are well into their first weeks of school in the alternate location for this year (the former Sir James Dunn site).

Energetic pep rallies, and a pre-school start Orientation Day for new Grades 7, 8 and 9 students have been very well attended and have served to assist with ensuring a smooth transition for all Superior Heights students.

FH Clergue French Immersion School

This summer, subcontractors have been on site working on site grading and services, block work, plumbing, electrical, structural steel and concrete finishing.

Water main testing was performed including swabbing, chlorinating, flushing and sampling by PUC representative.

Block work was completed on gymnasium walls (except part of the East side for access reasons).

Hornepayne JK-12 School

The work at Hornepayne is progressing on schedule.

The geothermal and all the piling and concrete base has been completed and progressing well.

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