Major renovation and seismic upgrades are underway at Wellington Secondary School in Nanaimo today (Aug. 4). More to come at www.nanaimobulletin.com.
Posted by Nanaimo News Bulletin on Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Seismic upgrades to Wellington Secondary School will continue until early 2016, according to the Nanaimo school district.
Wellington was deemed the district school most at risk of structural failure and damage in an earthquake event. A project agreement with the B.C. government was signed in February 2013.
The scope of the project includes an extended wing expansion, wall and roof demolition and replacement and a new entrance off of Departure Bay Road.
Emil Bock, school district acting manager for energy and capital projects, said work is on schedule. G block, the new section at the rear of the school, is nearing completion for a September opening.
Some work will continue after school begins on Sept. 8, according to Bock.
“Ongoing will be F block [at] the centre and then there’ll be civil work out front, facing Departure Bay and other than that, there’ll be the new frontage of the building there, where F block is being removed,” Bock said.
Hazardous material removal began July 6 and work is expected to conclude Saturday (Aug. 15). Dale Burgos, school district spokesman, said tiles containing asbestos were discovered a few months back.
“What they’re doing now is they’re closing the school completely down because there are some other pieces, most likely the tiles again, that they’re going to be dealing with,” said Burgos. “So it’s much easier doing this over the summer obviously and they’ve got complete control of the whole building.
“There may be other pieces to it as well, but when it comes down to the hazardous material removal, that’s most likely what they’re looking at.”
Bock estimates work could be complete by February or March, depending on winter weather.
The projected is expected to cost $24.6 million, with $22.6 million from the province.