Major Work Under Way at Sir John A. School

The major contract for the first phase of the Sir John A. Macdonald high school renovation project has been awarded, Education Minister Jane Purves announced today, Nov. 1. Work is expected to be completed in early January in time for students to return to the school for the spring semester.

"This phase is significant because it's where the health and safety issues are being carefully remedied," she said. "Students and staff will be returning to a school with substantial improvements, though much of the expansion and upgrade will be completed in later phases."

Dineen Construction of Dartmouth was the successful bidder for the contract. The company is now on-site and working to demolish, remove and replace a large portion of the exterior brick facade and insulation. The $2.5-million contract also includes the installation of three new mechanical air-handling units, a new boiler and a new electrical service entrance and the renovation of existing washrooms.

"I'm pleased that we're well into the remediation phase of the renovation project and on schedule," said Sarah Nightingale, chair of the Sir John A. school advisory committee. "It means that students will be back in our school by the second semester, and that's very important to all of us."

The $13-million multi-phase renovation and expansion project, approved in June by the province, will remedy health, safety and building-code issues and will provide program enhancements to modernize the school.

Other work planned during this phase includes a new well, an underground water line to the school, a new water cistern and a packaged water-treatment system. Work to remove soil contaminated with hydrocarbons was completed in October.

Two departments, Education and Transportation and Public Works, are working with consultants O'Halloran Campbell Consultants Ltd. and Harvey and MacKenzie Ltd. to complete the entire project over the next three years.

The Sir John A. school steering team is assisting in the development of a master plan for the school and the site. The team includes school and board staff and student and community representatives. It will continue to provide advice and input on the project.

Members of the community will have an opportunity to learn more about the project at open house at the St. Margarets Bay Arena and Community Centre, Thursday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. Consultants and the school steering team will be available to answer questions, and architectural and environmental plans will be on display.

Sir John A. students are attending Sackville high school on a split-shift basis this semester. They will be back in class on a normal schedule at the school at the beginning of the second semester, in 2003.