Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter
Delays to summer construction and renovation projects caused by unpredictable snags at some New Frontiers School Board schools will not interfere with the start of the school year on September 2.
NFSB director general Mike Helm confirmed that over five million dollars were invested in six projects across the board, including renovation work at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School (CVR), Ormstown Elementary School (OES), and Hemmingford Elementary School. While much of the work was completed on schedule, Helm said certain projects may continue into the first weeks of classes.
Exterior brickwork and landscaping at the front entrance at Hemmingford Elementary were progressing well, until workers discovered contaminated land while taking up pieces of the old entry and walkway. Specialists were called in to properly remove and load the soil before it was shipped to a special location. Helm said the work there will likely extend into the second weekend of September, when the landscaping is expected to be completed. “It will not necessarily look aesthetically pleasing for those first few days, but it will not impact the students or people coming and going into the building,” he maintained.
Work to repair one of the exits at Ormstown Elementary School was also delayed. Helm confirmed that following the discovery of some structural concerns, the NFSB worked with an engineer to ensure the exit would be sound and to code once completed. This involved some additional work that was not part of the original schedule. “We are going to use it just as an emergency exit for now,” he said, noting the renovation will continue for a few additional weekends mostly to ensure workers and construction noises are not a distraction for students during the day.
Humidity issues within the school over the summer also led to delays around the installation of new flooring in the gymnasium at OES. Physical education classes will take place outdoors during the first week of school, but students will be playing on the new surface before mid-September.
The renovations to the washrooms at CVR are expected to be completed on schedule, Helm confirmed, while acknowledging that the construction work slightly complicated the Jump Start orientation program for new Grade 7 students which took place on August 20 and 21. The work will see the removal of the somewhat-iconic “bird bath” water fountains from the ground-floor washrooms. These have been replaced by more modern sinks. “I think it is going to be quite impressive,” said Helm of the upgrade.