HOW WE DID IT

In an attempt to find out how many of the Phase 2 and 3 projects were completed on time, Postmedia filed a freedom of information request in October 2017 to Alberta Infrastructure. Postmedia asked for a list of all construction projects announced in 2014 and 2015 that were delayed three months or more from their original timeline. Postmedia also requested planned and actual project costs, and planned and actual completion dates, the cause of delays and any contingency plans for delays.

Alberta Infrastructure estimated the request would cost $12,528 to fulfil.

Postmedia narrowed its request to a list of all school projects announced in 2014 and 2015, along with the costs and timelines of projects managed by Alberta Infrastructure alone.

In December, Alberta Infrastructure provided a list of 82 school projects, along with timelines and costs. One was a Phase 1 project, and excluded from the analysis. Using public government records, local news reports and information from dozens of school divisions, Postmedia pieced together the timelines and some costs of 62 more projects.

Of the 143 Phase 2 and 3 projects examined, 130 were completed later than the originally announced dates. The delays ranged from a month to about three years. Fifty-three of them will be ready for students one year or longer after the promised opening.