MOOSE JAW — Prairie Â鶹ÊÓƵ School Division had planned to spend $1.4 million on construction projects this year but was forced to defer them and take on $1.512 million in unexpected and emergent initiatives.
The construction projects were part of the division’s preventative maintenance and renewal (PMR) plan for 2024 to 2026, which the board approved last year.
The projects that administration is deferring include:
- A drainage project in Rouleau for $150,000
- Concrete work at the board office for $100,000
- A roof section at A.E. Peacock Collegiate for $450,000
- Further elevator work at Peacock for $100,000
- Changeroom upgrades at Assiniboia High School for $300,000
- Changeroom upgrades at Assiniboia Elementary School for $300,000
- Total: $1.4 million
Darren Baiton, buildings manager, explained that further alterations in Rouleau were not required, so they saved money; less concrete work was needed at the office, so they saved money; Peacock’s roof project was deferred to next year; installing the elevator was “new territory” for the division, so it had money left over; and the changerooms upgrades will occur next year.
“The current projects can be deferred with no risk to infrastructure,” he said.
Meanwhile, five emergent issues have arisen that the division must address this year with PMR funding, including:
- Laying new shingles on King George’s portable classrooms for $75,000
- Installing air conditioning on the third floor of Peacock for $565,000
- Installing air conditioning in Riverview Collegiate’s meeting room for $101,000
- Installing air conditioning at École Gravelbourg for $571,000
- Installing air conditioning in Gravelbourg’s gym for $200,000
- Total: $1,512,000
Trustee Shawn Davidson appreciated how the report highlighted savings that Prairie Â鶹ÊÓƵ realized from these previously budgeted projects. Moreover, he commended Baiton for doing “a great job” of finding savings and efficiencies wherever he could.
“We see a shift to see some key air conditioning-type projects, which, knowing the temp level of some of these places and spaces in those buildings in June and September, I think that will be very welcome by our students, families and staff in those facilities,” Davidson added.
Trustees then approved the amendments to the PMR plan.
Future PMR projects
Trustees also approved the division’s PMR plan for 2026 to 2028. Below are some details of those projects, which total $9,173,000.
2026 PMR projects
Some proposed projects in 2026 include:
- Asphalt and concrete work at Peacock for $400,000
- Asphalt repairs at Caronport Elementary for $300,000
- Camera replacement at Central Collegiate for $18,000
- Security cameras and wiring at Mossbank for $18,000
- Security cameras and wiring at Mortlach for $18,000
- Security camera upgrades at Lindale for $6,000
- Air conditioning at Central for $500,000
- Third-floor air conditioning at Peacock for $625,000
- Gym floor upgrades at Mossbank for $100,000
- Roof upgrades at Peacock for $450,000
- Total: $3,153,000
2027 PMR projects
Some proposed projects in 2027 include:
- Security camera upgrades at École Palliser Heights for $20,000
- Security camera upgrades at William Grayson for $20,000
- Security camera upgrades at King George for $20,000
- Roof replacement at King George for $400,000
- Flooring upgrades at Central for $150,000
- Total: $2,970,000
2028 PMR projects
Some proposed projects in 2028 include:
- Home economics lab upgrades at Central for $75,000
- Roof replacement at Riverview for $150,000
- Roof replacement at William Grayson for $225,000
- Office relocation at Central Butte for $100,000
- Crawlspace remediation at Lindale for $500,000
- Air conditioning installations at Riverview for $100,000
- Roof replacement at Peacock for $450,000
- Total: $3,050,000
The next PSSD board meeting is Tuesday, June 3.
