In hopes of bringing quality education infrastructure to residents, Wild Rose School Division recently announced its three year capital plan.
In the aforementioned plan, it talks of modernizing schools in Breton as well as Drayton Valley.
Priority one on the capital plan is to right-size and fully modernize Breton High School.
“What we’re asking for is for that one to be converted into a K-12 and they would tear down the old elementary school,” says Brad Volkman, Superintendent for Wild Rose School Division. “Because we got the design money for that, that means probably by this time next year the government will give us money to start construction.”
Division officials say the modernization would involve replacing air handling units, the pneumatic controls system and the fire alarm system. In addition, larger, oversized classrooms would be reconfigured to increase the number of classrooms to accommodate elementary educational programming. Officials say the current CTS space would be reconfigured to include a cosmetology lab and an art room. The theatre/music room would be reconfigured to utilize the space and LED lighting would be installed throughout the entire building.
Furthermore, priority three on the capital plan is the modernization of Frank Maddock High School.
“Right now we have some huge industrial CTS areas that are oversized with the population of students that we have,” says Volkman. “That’s always a tricky thing because, if you have a school that is too big for the number of students you have, it ends up being very costly. I think Frank Maddock is around the 50-60 per cent utilization rate. You get the most amount of money for maintaining a school building if you can get 85 per cent utilization, and so really we need that school right-sized.”
Officials say the existing CTS spaces would be modernized and redeveloped to accommodate foods programming and cosmetology. The spaces would also be reconfigured to allow for additional classroom spaces.
In addition to programming and space changes, the following systems and components in the CTS area would be modernized to extend the life of the facility, support current programming requirements and meet current energy needs:
- Mechanical
- Air handling units and associated ductworks
- Exhaust fans
- Heating and domestic water piping
- Control valves
- HVAC controls
- Electrical
- Motor controls
- Lighting systems
- Electrical distribution systems
- panelboard
- Fire/life/safety systems
- Sprinkler system
- Fire alarm system
- Building communication components
- Building envelope
- Exterior walls
- Windows
- exterior and overhead doors
- Interior finishes and equipment
- Flooring
- Ceiling
- Paint
- Lockers
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