SOPHIE DEMERS
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE
SHAWVILLE – In September, the Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) released their 2024-2025 investment plan detailing the condition of each of their schools, with McDowell Elementary in Shawville ranking the worst.
The assessment found that of the WQSB’s 30 buildings, two are considered in “very good” condition, two are “good”, and three are in an “acceptable state”. Of the remaining buildings, 16 were classified as in “bad” condition and 7 were in “very bad”.
Various categories were evaluated: substructure, shell (exterior, roof), interior, services (heating, electric, plumbing etc.) equipment and sitework. Services represent 41% of the issues found, while issues with the shell represent 29.5%.
The analysis revealed a total investment of about $167 million is required. However, the budget available for 2024-2025 totals $12,610,900.
Pascal Proulx, WQSB assistant director general, said much of the needed work is on equipment or aspects of the building that are at the end of their lifecycle. The WQSB is working to maintain and repair as much as possible within their budgets.
Originally built in 1956 with an expansion in 1961, the total investment needed to address McDowell’s condition is estimated at $18,592,767. It’s one of seven schools that still rely on oil heating.
Proulx said McDowell’s issues are mainly related to its outdated interior, which isn’t prioritized as it’s largely aesthetic. “The McDowell building is safe and there’s no danger. The challenge we have as an organization is there’s not enough money to do everything. We have to find a balance between investing money to maintain old assets versus replacing them. We have to do risk management. The priority is health and safety, legal obligations and the integrity of the infrastructure. Interior renovations, usually related to aesthetics, are unfortunately really low priority,” he explained.
The investment plan details work to be done on McDowell in 2025, with $1,550,000 dedicated to interior renovation work such as lights, floors, ceilings, lockers, interior doors, and asbestos encapsulation of all interior walls. Other upcoming work includes roof renovations costing $1 million and exterior brick wall repair, estimated to cost $450,000.
Proulx explained that although it seems like the WQSB isn’t receiving enough money, the budget is the largest they’ve had in almost a decade. “We’re working with the Ministry of Education. They know we have issues and what the WQSB needs. They’re working to help us find the money,” he concluded.
Photo – Dr. S. E. McDowell Elementary School. (BZ)