Catholic board to OK playground equipment for new school

Trustees for the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education are set to approve a contract at tonight’s meeting for purchasing playground equipment for the soon-to-be-opened Ecole St. John Paul II School.

The board received seven submissions after putting out a request for proposals, with the selection committee recommending Blue Imp as the vendor.

The board has access to a grant of $250,000 for the installation of playground equipment at the school, expected to open this fall.

Trustees are also set to approve an amended Infrastructure Maintenance Renewal plan following the decision to close St. Thomas School, and move the French Immersion over to Ecole St. John Paul II School.

The closure of St. Thomas School will mean $1,142,275 in maintenance projects would no longer be included on the projects list.

Added to the list is a $308,000 project to expand gym storage space at St. Patrick’s School, as well as develop an inclusive barrierfree washroom, and additional breakout space for the school.

Other minor projects at other schools have been added.

MHCBE is working with a firm to develop a three-year and 10-year capital plan, and so until this is complete the recommendation before the board is to continue with the prior year’s capital plan.

Tonight’s meeting is set to take place at 6 p.m., at the MHCBE administrative office.