Construction and renovations to the Weyburn Comprehensive School will begin this spring, after the South East Cornerstone School Division (SECSD) board gave its approval to go ahead with the first phase of the project at their recent meeting.
Project architect Keith Henry gave a presentation on what the construction/renovation timeline will be and played an impressive three-dimensional video showing what the interior of the new facility will look like, particularly the community multi-purpose space, which will have a capacity of 1,300 people.
Contract One of the project will involve the construction on the north side of the building. This will include the new auditorium and new school administration offices, with renovations made to the resource centre/library and the old school offices, which will turn into the new daycare space. Once a tender has been awarded, that contractor will mobilize onsite between April and June of this year and begin the long-awaited $22.5 million project. If all goes according to plan, the completion of Contract One should occur by September 2012.
Some of the renovations that will take place in Contract One include: new fire suppression systems as per code; choir room converted into a classroom; major renovations to the home economics room; the complete replacement of the mechanical/electrical systems; washrooms and change rooms upgraded to meet accessibility codes; and new commercial kitchen.
With Contract One approved by the board, the Ministry of Education will now assign an independent auditor to review costs of the project. The architect's drawings will be submitted to the Ministry for final approval, while the City of Weyburn will be asked to provide a permit review for the area.
Contract Two has not been formally approved yet. However, SECSD will work with the Ministry to provide the architect the approvals required to continue with the contract. Once approval has been granted for the final phase of the project, construction will carry on to completion in 2013. Contract Two will involve the demolition of all the older brick parts of the building, including the South East Regional College. This will make way for the new Grade 7 and 8 classrooms and a new facility for the College.
