West Kings wrapping up renovations

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

As work on one Western Kings County school wraps up, construction on two other area schools is just beginning.

Nearly six years after a multi-stage renovation project was announced for West Kings, principal Marion Mann is pleased to announce the work is nearing completion. “At this point, just a few minor things need tidying up,” says Mann of the project that resulted in a new gym, library, cafeteria, music room, computer labs and upgraded classroom and administrative space in all wings of the school. “I am just over the moon about the total outcome.”

The renovation has produced a “safe school with improved water quality and ventilation” and provided teachers and staff and students with better facilities for working and learning. “The new classrooms all have the necessary wiring for new technology and offer lots of accessibility for students. Overall, there is a new atmosphere that is conducive to learning and a renewed school spirit.”

The only room that didn’t see any significant renovation is the audio-visual (AV) room. “Given the fact our project ended up being way over the original $9 million budget, we were very fortunate to get as much done as we did,” says Mann. She notes the school’s PTSA, which took on the $185,000 financial responsibility to allow for construction of the enhanced gym, is now looking at ways to accomplish upgrades in the AV room. “I think you’ll see more on the horizon for that project.”

Over the five-year period, work on the building continued as students and staff went about their daily business. Mann credits the students for “being real troopers. “Hats off to them - they have been so patient with the constant changes and activity. I think they were absolutely supreme.”

The exterior of the school also got a facelift, with the addition of new bus lanes and a new front parking lot for teachers and visitors. Student parking is now located at the rear of the school. October 17, students and staff from Nova Scotia Community College were on site to help with landscaping, jobs Mann says helped “provide the finishing touch.” An official grand re-opening is planned for January.

Winter, budgets will shut down Somerset, St. Mary’s work

Just east of the Auburn-area school, St. Mary’s Elementary in Aylesford and Somerset and District School are finally starting to see progress on their long-awaited gymnasium projects. Last spring, after home and school groups from the two schools teamed up to pressure the Department of Education to honour renovation commitments made several years ago, a total of $2 million was released to get work started.

While Somerset principal Heather Morse is happy the work on her gymnasium is underway, she admits she is disappointed construction will not continue throughout the winter. “A million dollars can only go so far,” says Morse, who has been informed the walls will go up later this month and that a roof will follow by the end of December. After that, the project will remain dormant until the Department of Education’s next budget year begins in April, when an additional $900,000 for each school should be released. The second phase of the project will complete the interior of the gymnasiums and renovations to the existing multi-purpose rooms and main offices at both schools.

Information obtained from a meeting between school board officials and the Somerset Home and School Association indicates government may also dedicate more money next spring to invest in a general facelift to the building and upgrades to the air circulation and electrical systems. One area that has not been addressed to date is the parking area. “At an approximate cost of $250,000, we may need to lobby to have this work done,” says Morse.

David Floyd, who oversees capital projects for the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board, says the work was tendered over the summer with this financial reality in mind. “This is not a new plan. Last summer, we looked at what funds were available and felt this was the best way to go.” He says weather conditions have been ideal for getting preliminary work done, and adds construction at both sites “is now going on simultaneously.” That will change later this month, when the time comes to add walls and roofs. Tthe necessary equipment will rotate between the two schools and Gaspereau Elementary, which is also getting a new gymnasium.

Unlike Somerset and St. Mary’s, Gaspereau’s construction will continue through the winter months. “Gaspereau received full funding for its renovation project right out of the gate, so it is on track according to plan,” explains Floyd.