The new kindergarten to grade 12 school in Delia is moving ahead despite delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of 12 bids were initially received, and in March the number of bidders was narrowed down to six; the final tender closed on July 28.
Superintendent for Prairie Land School Division, Cam McKeage told the Mail, “Shunda Contracting from Red Deer was awarded the bid.”
Shunda Contracting has worked on a number of infrastructure projects across Central Alberta, including West Park Middle School in Red Deer, Lacombe’s emergency department, and the Mountain View Seniors’ Housing in Sundre.
Previously, Delia Mayor David Sisley said, “The schedule is running about five months behind. The causes for delay are COVID-19, and then the Alberta Government’s desire to get people back to work, which pushed new projects ahead of the older projects already on the drawing board.”
The existing school was originally built in 1956 with additional development completed through the years, the most recent being in 1985 and modernization in 1993.
An audit in 2010 found several deficiencies to the mechanical and electrical systems in the school, however.
A workshop was held in 2016 to determine whether to complete upgrades to the existing school or build a new facility.
Participants from the village and surrounding area, and members of Prairie Land School Division set two high-priority items for a new facility: maintain education from kindergarten through to graduation, and include a community facility in the building.
Funding for the Community Hub was raised by the Delia School Enhancement Society.
The Community Hub will add more than 9,000 square feet to the new school and will include a field house, wellness area, and a community library according to Mayor Sisley.
Mayor Sisley said, “Monies raised over and above the initial campaign goal (of $1.2 million) will be used to equip the new facility with necessary program infrastructure.”
