Date set for Jr K school renos in Hay River
Department expects work on school won't be completed until end of September
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, July 24, 2017
HAY RIVER
After the education council raised the alarm over renovations that wouldn't be finished by the start of school, the department is changing its completion date to the end of September from the beginning.
The tender call for renovations to accommodate junior kindergarten at Harry Camsell School was issued July 11 and is scheduled to close July 25.
"We expect the tender to be issued within a week of closing," stated Department of Infrastructure spokesperson Nancy Zimmerman in written responses to e-mailed questions.
"We expect the renovations to be complete by the end of September 2017."
The work will involve installing items for junior kindergarten, a new washroom and classroom modifications, she said.
When asked if there had been a delay in issuing the tender, Zimmerman said it was issued immediately after the design work was completed.
The value of the work will ultimately be determined by contractors bidding on the project.
In a June 23 news release, the South Slave Divisional Education Council stated Harry Camsell School and Joseph Burr Tyrrell School in Fort Smith had been approved for renovations to upgrade facilities, particularly washrooms, to accommodate more and younger students - three-and-a-half-year olds and four-year olds.
"It was originally promised that these renovations would occur this summer and be ready before the start of school in September, however, it is now clear that the timeline will be tight, if not impossible, given the tenders have yet to go out," the news release stated on June 23.
The school board noted the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the Department of Infrastructure are reviewing the situation and considering contingency plans in the event the renovations are not complete in time for the fall.
The GNWT plans to launch junior kindergarten in the 2017-18 school year.
The education council will not be providing busing for junior kindergarten at Harry Camsell School for safety and financial reasons.
