Skip to content

NBCHS gym finish line getting closer

The flooring for the new gymnasium at North Battleford Comprehensive is due to arrive this week, and it's expected to take between four and six weeks for it to be installed. It's the last major step toward putting the new space into use.
hammer and nails pic

The flooring for the new gymnasium at North Battleford Comprehensive is due to arrive this week, and it's expected to take between four and six weeks for it to be installed. It's the last major step toward putting the new space into use.

Facilities manager for Living Sky School Division, Brian Bossaer, told board members last week the new instructional spaces are functioning, despite a few deficiencies, and the last big objective is to finish the Grade 7 and 8 gym.

NBCHS has been undergoing a major renovation since 2013 in order to accommodate the relocation of Grades 7 and 8 to the high school building to alleviate overcrowding in local elementary schools. The Grade 8s moved in at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, with Grade 7s beginning there this school term.

While the contractor is saying the renovation could be done by the end of November, said Bossaer, he's not as sure about that date. He and principal Bryce Friesen have been watching over the finishing stages to make sure they get what they want without increasing the costs, which may affect the finish date.

Bossaer and Director of Education Randy Fox said Friesen has been patient during the process.

"Most of us have gone through a renovation and he's been really good," said Fox.

He added that the nice fall weather has helped as students have been able to be outdoors for physical education.

Fox said it appears to have been a good transition for the Grade 7s. There are plans to hold a focus-group type of meeting with Grade 7s at NBCHS, and probably Grade 8s as well, to hear directly from there about how they have found the transition.

The information could be important to other schools in the division who may, some time in the future, be in the same position of having to move middle years students into high schools.

"The more we can learn from these students the better it will be," he said.

Trustee Glen Wouters said he believed one of the things that has been learned is the comprehensive high school, with Grade 7 and 8s coming in, is a far better facility than it was three years ago. The extra gym was particularly important, he said.

"No one else in the province has three gyms, or the equivalent of three gyms, for a thousand students," said Wouters.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks