New school planned to replace one of the oldest in Louis Riel School Division
The Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) is taking steps to replace one of its older school buildings in the division with a modern building.
The division recently presented plans for the new Ecole Varennes building in North St. Vital. The school, which serves students in kindergarten to Grade 8, was originally constructed in 1951, one year after the 1950 flood.
A slide from Number 10 Architectural Group shows a rendering of the proposed replacement for Ecole Varennes school (Submitted photo: Number 10 Architectural Group)
“This school was originally built as a flood relief school; it was put up very quickly,” said Jeff Anderson, associate superintendent with the division. “And at the time that it was constructed, it wasn't meant to be a long-term school, it was meant to have a lifespan of about 25 years. Therefore, we're on year 72 here.”
While the school has had some modifications done, a recent study the division commissioned said extensive work would be require to keep the building modern.
“They concluded that for the amount of work that needs to be done on the building, you could construct a new school for an equivalent sum of money,” Anderson said. “And their recommendation was that the school division consider constructing a new school on the same lot. And that's what we have done.”
A slide from Number 10 Architectural Group shows a rendering of the proposed replacement for Ecole Varennes school (Submitted photo: Number 10 Architectural Group)
The school division has submitted a priority capital project request for the new school, which would be built where the playground and field area currently is. The former school site would be demolished and the playground area would be built there.
Anderson said the design plan has been finalized, with the help of Number 10 Architectural Group. He says feedback to the school design has been positive.
“If we look at Winnipeg as a whole over the last 20, 25 years, we haven't seen any construction of a new school in an established neighborhood; all new schools have been on the periphery of the city in new developments,” he said. “And the main reaction of this community is that they're excited to see that the potential for rejuvenation of their community for a significant investment, provincial funds to offer a facility that they feel and rightfully so that their students deserve.
Anderson added that although regular maintenance is done, the new school will also allow Ecole Varennes to be equal to other schools in the city.
A slide from Number 10 Architectural Group shows a rendering of the proposed replacement for Ecole Varennes school (Submitted photo: Number 10 Architectural Group)
“When we look at our schools in existing neighborhoods, we find that the oldest buildings, many of these buildings don't even have air conditioning,” he said. “So, they get very hot in this in the summer months and the fall. We have been investing as the division into retrofitting older buildings with air conditioning. This is one of the things that we would like to see for this community access to amenities that are found in other schools in our division and elsewhere.”
The current estimated cost for the school is $40 million, which could change as the process goes forward. There is no current timeline for the new school to be built, Anderson said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.