The Manitoba government is investing $53.7 million in 110 infrastructure renewal projects across the province to ensure the continued well-being of students and educators in public schools, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced here today at Mackenzie Middle School.
“These projects will provide students and educators throughout Manitoba with safe and healthy places in which to study and work,” said Wishart. “We are making significant investments in school infrastructure renewal because our government recognizes how important it is to ensure all students have a positive learning environment.”
The projects announced today include necessary health and safety-related infrastructure upgrades to roofing and mechanical systems including:
• $14.3 million for roof replacements in the Brandon, division scholaire franco manitobaine, Flin Flon, Frontier, Hanover, Mountain View, Pembina Trails, Pine Creek, Prairie Rose, Prairie Spirit, River East Transcona, Seine River, Southwest Horizon, Sunrise, Swan Valley, Turtle River and Winnipeg school divisions;
• $15.6 million for mechanical systems replacement in the Frontier, Hanover, Interlake, Lord Selkirk, Louis Riel, Mountain View, Pembina Trails, Portage la Prairie, Red River Valley, River East Transcona, Rolling River, Seine River, Seven Oaks, St. James-Assiniboia, Sunrise and Winnipeg school divisions;
• $13.7 million for structural upgrades in the Brandon, Lord Selkirk, Mountain View, Pembina Trails, Pine Creek, Portage la Prairie, Prairie Rose, Prairie Spirit, Red River Valley, River East Transcona, Seven Oaks, Southwest Horizon, St. James-Assiniboia, Sunrise, Swan Valley, Turtle River and Winnipeg school divisions; and
• $10.1 million for access projects in the Beautiful Plains, Border Land, Brandon, Flin Flon, Hanover, Mountain View, Pembina Trails, Portage la Prairie, Prairie Rose, Red River Valley, River East Transcona, Southwest Horizon, St. James-Assiniboia, Sunrise, Turtle Mountain and Winnipeg school divisions.
As a result of this announcement, students and staff at Mackenzie Middle School will soon benefit from a new roof with increased insulation to improve energy efficiency and comfort, the minister said. The old, built-up roof area was age-expired, with almost no insulation and had a history of related issues including leaks.
Della Perih, board chair, Mountain View School Division, welcomed today’s announcement.
“The roof replacement at Mackenzie Middle School will greatly enhance the physical structure and add to the building’s energy efficiency and life span, ensuring it continues to provide a positive learning environment for many years to come,” said Perih. “We are glad to see this project finalized and excited to welcome students from grades 6 to 8 to this updated space. This renovated wing of the school will allow our students to further develop technical and vocations skills in an inviting and safe environment.”
Wishart noted the projects will be completed within a timeframe of six to 24 months following the award of tenders and start of construction. The Manitoba government is providing more than $92.4 million in planned capital spending in 2017-18 for public school infrastructure projects across the province, he added.
