The Ministry of Education has approved over $6.8 million for School District 52 to spend on fixing the exterior of Charles Hays Secondary School.
“I wish the Board every success in proceeding with the building envelope repairs to Charles Hays Secondary and look forward to the expeditious completion of this important project,” wrote Education Minister George Abbott in a letter to the school district, dated May 2.
School Board Chair Tina Last said the exterior of Charles Hays needs to be replaced because of water damage (part of the southeast side of the building is pictured above). She also said the repairs are being done before expected.
“It’s failing before its time,” said Last.
The money will be used to re-do the entire exterior, including windows, doors and cement blocks, said Last. But the money won’t be used to fix the roof.
Before the money could be distributed, the school board needed to pass three readings to accept the funding envelope. At the May 10 board meeting, trustees unanimously accepted the money.
At the meeting, secretary-treasurer Cam McIntyre said B.C. Housing will manage the project, and the money will flow to them through the school district from the ministry of education.
McIntyre also said there will probably be some disruption to class, but added he didn’t know how much of a disruption there would be. He said the successful bidder on the project will probably decide on whether or not to put students in portables or have them placed in different classroom, depending on where the work is being done on the school.
In any case, McIntyre said the contractor will be in consultation with staff for any disruptions.
McIntyre also said the ministry’s funding envelope does not cover roofing work for the school. He said the school district has set aside money for repairs to the roof, but he didn’t know how much those repairs would cost.
~Written by Chris Armstrong
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