STEWART VALLEY, Sask. — Construction of the new school in Stewart Valley is moving forward, with provincial and municipal representatives getting a firsthand look at the project Monday.
Saskatchewan Education Minister Everett Hindley and MLA Blaine McLeod visited the construction site Oct. 19 as work continues on the school’s foundation.
Hindley said it was encouraging to see visible progress after the work required to get the project to the construction stage.
“It’s good to see this here. It’s been some time. It’s been a bit of a process to get here, but really positive to see what’s happening here with respect to the concrete being poured and the foundation starting to go up,” Hindley said.
Structural steel is expected to arrive in November, allowing the building itself to begin taking shape. Quorex Construction representatives said the goal is to have construction completed before next winter.
Work at the site is expected to move into deep services, including preparations to establish the proper elevations inside the building. Additional work will include levelling the site before construction progresses further.
Hindley said discussions surrounding insurance proceeds from the original school are continuing.
He said the Saskatchewan government is working closely with the Chinook School Division on the project and has committed up to $6 million in additional funding to help bridge the gap between insurance coverage and increased project costs.
Hindley said factors such as changes to building codes have contributed to higher costs.
Hindley said seeing construction underway is particularly significant after the province announced additional funding for the project in July.
He also thanked Quorex Construction and the Saskatchewan subcontractors working on the project, including contractors from southwest Saskatchewan.
Hindley said the school project is one of several developments taking place in the area and pointed to work on water, sewer and road infrastructure in Stewart Valley.
He said the most important milestone will ultimately be seeing students and families return to the school.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the kids back in there,” Hindley said. “Families, I think, are looking forward to that as well, and the entire community here in Stewart Valley and the surrounding area.”
Representatives from the RM of Saskatchewan Landing No. 167 were also on hand, including Division 5 Coun. Gary Moen and Division 7 Coun. Lee Lanceleve.
Lanceleve said area ratepayers are pleased to see construction moving forward.
“We are very grateful to the Saskatchewan government stepping in to get this built,” Lanceleve said. “There was a lot of foot-dragging. The ratepayers are extremely happy with the way it is going forward.”
Moen said reaction in the community has also been positive since the additional provincial funding was announced.
He said the rebuilding project has been a long time coming and emphasized the importance of the school beyond the classroom.
“This school is kind of our hub here,” Moen said. “Without that, we can’t have a fall supper or a wedding dance or anything, so we are grateful to the Saskatchewan government and everyone else involved. It is really great.”
