Site work at Kimble Drive school to begin in October
By JENNIFER DUNVILLE
dunville.jennifer@dailygleaner.com
Published Thursday August 23rd, 2007
Appeared on page A3
Construction of a new middle school on Kimble Drive is expected to begin in October.
Bids are being accepted by the Department of Supply and Services for the construction of the school, which will replace the aging Albert Street Middle School.
Supply and Services Minister Roly MacIntyre said the new school is not expected to interfere with Kimble Drive Park or with traffic on Kimble Drive.
He said the new school is a positive change for Fredericton.
"Any time you're making a major change, there's always people who raise concerns, but we're getting more positive feedback than anything else," MacIntyre said.
"We seem to be through the phase of criticism and been past it for quite some time. We're getting a lot of support to do this project."
The tender for the construction was issued Wednesday and closes Sept. 21.
At that time, MacIntyre said the estimated cost of construction and the winning bid will be announced to the public.
The construction is considered a single-phase project, which means the tender will be for foundation work, structural steel framing, roofing, exterior walls, interior masonry walls, plumbing and electrical work, installation of air ventilation systems and controls, and fire protection systems.
The school, which will be 7,288 square metres, is being built on about eight hectares of land next to Kimble Drive Park.
The land was purchased for the purpose of a school in 1968.
In 1992, a licensing agreement was signed with the city for a playground and park area.
Over half of the property was kept for a school following the construction of Kimble Drive Park.
Although trees in the area will have to be cut to make room for the new school, MacIntyre said the park shouldn't be affected.
"I really haven't gotten into that aspect of how much it'll impact the park as far as the kids from the school using it, but it's not in our plans to do anything to it," MacIntyre said.
"Once you build a school adjacent to a park, you know the students are going to use it, but other than that, it shouldn't affect the park at all really."
Once built, the structure will include 20 classrooms, a computer lab, rooms for art, music, science and other technology, and physical education programs.
It will feature a large gymnasium and cafeteria, which will be designed to also function as an auditorium.
"One of the commitments made in our education plan is to create healthy and safe schools," said Education Minister Kelly Lamrock.
"The modern, state-of-the-art school that will be built on Kimble Drive is an example of that commitment."
MacIntyre said a company was hired by the department a few months ago to conduct a traffic impact study for the area of Kimble Drive.
The study, which was done in consultation with the city, indicated there would be no issues with school traffic and other traffic that moves along Kimble Drive.
"It shouldn't have any major impact, but we'll be doing things anyway to make sure it doesn't affect traffic," MacIntyre said.
"For example, parking space, busing lanes, sidewalks and crosswalks will be adjusted to accommodate the new school. We'll ensure pedestrian safety and be careful as work is done, so that it's not only a nice, new school, but also a safe location."
Jason Humphrey, a spokesman for the education department, said plans to name the school have not been finalized.
He said a naming committee made up of a member from the district's education council, the school board and the department will take submissions from the public when -- or shortly after -- the new school opens.
"How the naming committee takes submissions is totally open," Humphrey said.
"It could be anything from taking submissions from the community or having a school competition for the name. Either way, the community will be consulted."
As for the future of Albert Street Middle School, Humphrey said District 18 officials will have to declare the property surplus in 2009 before anything can be decided about the middle school.
Lamrock said the new school is scheduled to open in September 2009.