Photo courtesy of Bob Schneider

By Scott Roblin

Nearing Completion

Eagle Butte High School modernization entering stretch drive

Sep 9, 2019 | 4:51 PM

DUNMORE, AB – It’s been a long wait for students and staff at Eagle Butte High School, navigating through construction areas and workers.

Most of that work will come to an end soon however, as the Eagle Butte modernization project reaches its final stages.

“Our staff and our students have been really patient over there throughout the process,” said Prairie Rose School Division secretary-treasurer Ryan Boser. “We’re excited what this renovation is going to bring for our students over at Eagle Butte.”

Major renovations to the school are slated to wrap up by December 31, marking a year and a half since ground was broken on the project in mid-2018.

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Original plans had the modernization finished by summer of 2019, but various delays pushed the project back a handful of months.

Boser said is a great feeling to have the finish line in sight.

“We don’t expect any more delays on that date,” he said. “Obviously, there’s things like just some of the building deficiencies through construction and the septic system that will go a little bit past then. However, that’s not going to interrupt any of the school use for the kids.”

The province first announced the modernization project back in 2014, however the project was held up at the design phase due to a higher than expected cost of replacing the septic system.

Even as work continues on the building, students are already starting to reap the rewards of their patience with a CTS shop, common area, collaboration rooms, and cosmetology studio all open for use.

“Students have been using that already over there and they’re excited about that,” said Boser. “Just second semester last year we had our shop ready to go, so the kids have been using that as well.”

Entering the stretch drive of renovations, focus will now be put on Eagle Butte’s drama and music rooms along with the school’s science classrooms.

“Our science wing is being done these last four months,” said Boser. “There’s a little bit of work to be done on the exterior of the building yet, a little bit of roofing to finish and a little bit of siding as well. But, for the most part a lot of the building is done.”

The total cost of the project came out to roughly $7 million including the septic system replacement, however Boser said they won’t have to dip into their contingency fund to complete the build.

No other major capital projects for the upcoming year have been approved by Alberta Education for Prairie Rose, however Boser added they have set out their priorities for further work.

“We’re hoping that number one on our list is Burdett, number two is a new school in Redcliff,” he said. “So, we’re hoping to get some traction in those areas as well, try to get those projects moving forward.”