Delia School is in line for a Value Management Assessment, looking into the present state of the school and the best way possible to create a modern educational facility for community.
In response to the Prairie Land School Division’s (PLRD) capital plan for 2016-2018, Alberta Education identified Delia School to be the subject of an assessment to explore modernization.
“Alberta Education is going to take a real critical look at Delia School with stakeholders in that community and make a decision with Alberta Infrastructure regarding a possible modernization or a possible rebuild,” said PLRD Superintendent of Schools Cam McKeage.
He explains the school division has been making a request to Alberta Education regarding Delia School on an annual basis.
“The last couple years we put the work we need to do on the top of that list,” he said. “We were adamant about this school needing major repairs.”
He adds it is not about viability, it is about the facility and how they can best serve students.
In a press release from the division, it cites a number of issues with the current school including; electrical upgrades, roof repair, complete upgrading to the mechanical room, repairs/upgrades both of inside/outside wall structures, and upgrading/replacement of the heating and air handling system.
“One wing of the school is all modulars and they have been there since the 1960’s,” said McKeage.
Beyond the bricks and mortar, the assessment will look at the school and the community’s needs for serving local students.
“Once they decide whether a school needs to be modernized, gutted entirely or rebuilt, that is when you start talking to your stakeholders in terms of programming requirements and what does the school community need to run adequate programs and something special about Delia as well. That input is considered in terms of the next stage of either rebuilding or modernizing.”
According to the release, The Value Management Assessment will include a facilitator, a cost consultant and an architectural consultant, as well as representatives from Alberta Education and Alberta Infrastructure. Participants from PLRD are anticipated to include trustees, members of central office administration, teachers, students and parents. Key stakeholders from the community will also be invited to attend. The purpose of this session will be to critically look at the present state of Delia School and what the best course of action would be in moving forward to a possible modernization.
The assessment is slated to take place at Delia School April 18 and 19.
