Hope is contractor can be on site in early February
The modernization of Noble Central School inched a step closer as tenders closed Tuesday, Jan. 12.
Three firms bid for the opportunity to serve as general contractor on the project. Secretary-Treasurer Wayne Braun, who oversees Palliser Regional Schools Facility Services, said all three bids were favourable to the project’s budget.
A committee reviewed the bids and submitted a recommendation to Alberta Infrastructure in support of the work being awarded to the lowest bidder. At this point, no other details about the tenders can be shared.
Once approved, it’s hoped the contractor will be on site by early February, Braun said.
A parent meeting was held Wednesday, Jan. 13 to discuss the plan for relocating classrooms during construction.
Work will begin in the main school entrance, office area and the two floors of the south wing, which houses middle and high school students. Construction of the elevator, to be housed just left of the front doors, will also begin. Once complete, the elevator will have access to all three levels of the building.
The primary goal of the modernization is to ensure the school is accessible to students and staff with mobility challenges.
Five temporary classrooms will be constructed in the school gym for use by students from the south wing during the first phase. The stage area will house the school office staff throughout the project.
“I've always wanted to be the star of the stage, but clearly Mrs. Clay will have that role,” quipped Noble Central Principal Greg Rollingson, of he and administrative assistant Laine Clay’s move to new “offices.”
“We are extremely excited to have things underway. I can't give enough praise to the staff of Noble Central who have been extremely positive through the process of change, and we look forward to the challenge of maintaining our literacy focus in a safe and caring learning environment through the rejuvenation process.”
With the gymnasium used for classrooms, arrangements have been made with the Village of Nobleford for Palliser to rent the Community Centre as needed for student use, Braun said.
The second phase of the project will be modernization of the north wing and library.
Once construction begins, the main entrance to the school will be closed. North-facing doors near the gymnasium will serve as the primary entry point throughout the construction project. The bus loop will also change, using the north parking lot for loading and unloading.
It’s expected the $8-million project will be completed for the start of the 2017-2018 school year.
The modernization work will be the first major improvement to Noble Central School in about 40 years. The original two-storey building was constructed in 1948 with the last of three additions made in 1975. The school serves about 200 students from early learning and kindergarten through Grade 12.