PSSD needs $9 million for building projects over next four years

New lighting at Riverview Collegiate and a new floor at École Palliser Heights Elementary School are just two projects Prairie South School Division plans to complete during the next four years.

The division (PSSD) intends to spend $8.53 million on 50 projects from 2021 to 2024 as part of its preventative maintenance and renewal (PMR) plan, which lays out the infrastructure initiatives division administration believes are necessary to complete at some of its 38 schools throughout west-central Saskatchewan. Specifically, the division plans to spend $3 million on 22 projects during the 2020-21 school year, $3.34 million on 18 projects during the 2021-22 year and $2.19 million on 10 projects in the 2022-23 school year.

Board trustees approved the new PMR plan during their most recent board of education meeting. This will allow them to start the Ministry of Education process of acquiring grant funding for the upcoming school year.

PMR funding is part of the division’s budget, so when the ministry provides the yearly operating grant, part of that amount goes to the repair of buildings, trustee Brian Swanson explained. The ministry asks all school divisions to submit their list of yearly projects, so it has a better idea of what each organization needs.

“It’s worth noting that Prairie South School Division uses some surplus funds to enhance the budgeted amount provided by the province, somewhere in the neighbourhood of $700,000,” he continued.

“This allows for planning, so one can get projects on the list. We have some 33 schools we have to take care of and $3 million a year doesn’t very far in doing so. This is part of the planning process, and hopefully, this eliminates surprises, although they do pop up from time to time.” Projects

The projects PSSD intends to pursue in Moose Jaw during the next four years include:

• Energy-efficient windows for the board office on Ninth Avenue Northwest (2021): $200,000;

• Section 4 roof replacement at A.E. Peacock Collegiate (2021): $450,000;

• An asphalt crescent at Central Collegiate (2021): $400,000;

• Flooring for Lindale School (2021): $60,000;

• Lighting at Riverview Collegiate (2021): $200,000;

• Asphalt and concrete cap at Peacock (2022): $100,000

• Phase 1 of curbs, paving and sidewalks at Central Collegiate (2022): $200,000;

• Fence relocation and extra electrical at the Moose Jaw transportation shop (2022): $30,000;

• Section roof replacement at Peacock (2022): $300,000;

• Safety straps for gym backboards at Peacock (2022): $15,000;

• Flooring replacement at École Palliser Heights School (2022): $50,000;

• Section six roof replacement

$200,000;

• Asphalt upgrades at Riverview (2023): $85,000;

• Flooring upgrades at Central (2023): $150,000;

• Change room upgrades at Riverview (2023): 100,000. at Palliser (2023):