School division receives $2.2 million in maintenance funding
The Livingstone Range School Division will receive $2.2 million in funding from a program designed to boost the economy and accelerate maintenance in existing schools.
On May 20, the provincial government announced capital funding for school divisions has been increased by $250 million, supporting hundreds of projects in all divisions across the province, creating an estimated 3,750 jobs.
Jeff Perry, associate superintendent for business services with the school division, said in a phone interview on June 5 the projects have to be new, not part of the existing Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal funding provided to each school division.
Moreover, in order to create jobs immediately, the projects have to be completed within six months.
There will be roofing replacements at Livingstone School in Lundbreck, and Matthew Halton High School in Pincher Creek.
Boiler replacements will occur at Stavely Elementary School, A.B. Daley School in Nanton, and Isabelle Sellon School in the Crowsnest Pass.
J.T. Foster School in Nanton will receive funding to move an electrical panel from the basement to another location; acoustical tile replacement; and a flooring project that will include the removal of some asbestos.
J.T. Foster and W.A. Day School in Fort Macleod will also have wheelchair lifts, that is elevators within the school, replaced.
Perry noted none of these projects are part of the current infrastructure and maintenance renewal plan.
According to Alberta Education, projects fall into one of the following categories: building envelope, such as roofs, doors, windows, exterior finishes; mechanical, such as plumbing, heating and ventilation; electrical, such as lighting upgrades; structural, such as foundations; site improvements, such as parking lot repair, re-grading or drainage; and interior upgrades.