An update provided to trustees during a Near North Board meeting yesterday show that they need to do some serious cost cutting on the new W.J. Fricker School.
A report from Interim Superintendent of Business Wally Easton on the progress of the construction of a new school shows the estimated cost of construction is $14.8 million, which is $2.4 million over the amount allocated by the Ministry. The shortfall has been discussed with the Ministry, which suggested trying to reduce the cost of the school.
The report states there is money in reserve to cover the construction shortfall, but permission is required from the Ministry to do that. It was also pointed out that the tender could include requests for separate pricing on some finishes, which would allow for flexibility in choices.
"The 20 per cent to be finalized allows for tweaking before the project goes to tender," says the report.
The school has been closed and is scheduled for demolition with a new school to be built on the same site.
The architect’s design is 80 per cent completed, which allows the design to be submitted to the Ministry of Education for approval.
The construction of the new school will take at least 10 months, and a delay to the already tight deadline with a redesign will not allow for a September 2022 opening.
The report recommends proceeding with the design as it is and completing the process for Ministry approval.
