The Southeast Cornerstone Public School Divison (SECPSD) is taking a look at a few capital projects ahead of them, including one that'll focus on the Estevan Comprehensive School.
While they say that a few tentative movements have been taken in the past, significant improvements need to be made soon to keep the facility relevant and operational.
That comes with a cost, said Andy Dobson, manager of facilities and transportation for the South East Cornerstone Public School Division.
Some of the items on Dobson's list included a major replacement of the school’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, at an estimated cost of $8.5 million.
The school also has two original boilers which are well past their lifespan, stated Dobson, since they are now 58 years old.
The school is in dire need of upgrades on the system controls, with failing steam traps and circulation lines also needing to be addressed along with circulation fan walls that need to be right-sized, according to Dobson.
Estevan trustee Kevin Keating noted that they started the process a few years ago which launched a long-range plan that would see the re-do of ECS.
That would then be followed up by the construction of a new, larger elementary school in partnership with the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division which would accommodate all elementary school grades in one facility.
Keating said that while there were early plans in place no definitive action had ensued through the provincial government and therefore by SECPSD either.
It's unlikely that the project would see any progress, noted Dobson, until the new $38.6 million K-12 school had been completed and put in use in Carlyle.
That school's target date is 2028, with the project currently in the final planning stages by the overseeing architects.
A second minor capital protect application went out to the ministry regarding upgrades at McNaughton High School in Moosomin.
Work there on a school refreshment will include new code compliance, accessibility, and PAA enhancements along with indoor air quality, fire suppression, and electrical upgrades.
The SECPSD's board passed the motion to proceed with an application for these two capital projects with a unanimous vote.