A $6.1-million starter school in Williamstown is a step closer to completion after Rocky View Schools’ trustees approved a tender bid by Carbon Constructors Inc., Sept. 29.
Five companies submitted tenders ranging from $4.99 million to $5.19 million. The board chose the least expensive option, as per Alberta Education’s rules.
“Our choices are take the low bid or take nothing,” said John Wheatley, director of facility planning.
“So we can’t go back and forth.”
The school division has never worked with the builder before, but Wheatley said RVS’ contracted firm Gibbs Gage Architects has previously dealt with the Calgary company.
Trustees Sylvia Eggerer, Helen Clease and Colleen Munro expressed concern the lowest bidder may not produce the best work.
The board, however, is powerless to change the tendering process.
During discussion, Airdrie trustee Don Thomas asked Wheatley when the new school would open for students. The opening date is Aug. 15, 2012, according to Wheatley.
Greg Bass, superintendent of schools said Nov. 1 is a key date for the project’s timeline.
“It’s getting all of the foundation work done prior to freeze up,” he said. “All these contractors were prepared for a winter build. As the project is proceeding and we get past the first hurdle, we can begin to put some planning in place come spring and be prepared. We’re hoping we can get through some critical benchmarks.”
Alberta Education encouraged the division to include a humidity and water-softening system in the new school, which will be LEED Silver Certified. Wheatley said a humidity system wouldn’t be necessary.
“The reason we don’t do it is there’s usually an awful lot of kids in these buildings that expel humidification by nature,” he said.
The school will also appropriate four portables from Nose Creek Elementary School during construction. The school building was initially supposed to be 2,200-square metres, however, trustees voted to change the surface area by adding 142-square metres.
“I think we’ve known for a long time that this school’s been needed,” said Thomas. “It’s now time. So the addition of the extra square meterage would facilitate this happening.”
The date of a sod turning has not been announced.
