Schools are Looking Impressive

The ten ASAP II schools have taken shape and are looking very impressive. During the summer and fall months, landscapers planted shrubs, trees and sod while paving crews completed sidewalks, parking lots and circle drop-off lanes. Street lights were also installed. All of this work, coupled with the exterior finishing of the schools, gives the appearance that they are complete.

On the contrary, work crews are now focusing on completing the schools’ interiors. Trades people have been busy drywalling, painting, tiling, and installing the flooring. They have also been installing cabinets, lockers, electrical fixtures, faucets, toilets, and gymnasium equipment. Mechanical, electrical and controls commissioning has also started in some of the schools.

Although all schools are at slightly different stages of construction, they are all on schedule for completion in the summer of September 2012.

Because the schools “look” complete from the outside, there has been a heightened interest from parents who want to register their children to attend this fall.  B2L Partnership continues to direct people to this website to obtain construction and photo updates, and registration information for each school.
 

Outdoor Art Gallery Beautifies Construction Site

The construction fence surrounding the Tuscany Middle School has become a backdrop for an outdoor art gallery. The Tuscany Community Art Gallery is a project organized by the Tuscany Community Association (TCA) with the approval of B2L Partnership and the Government of Alberta.

“This outdoor art gallery is a great example of the creative and talented people who call the Tuscany community their home,” said Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit and MLA for Calgary North-West. “Usually you associate a construction fence with a warning to stay away; effectively, this artwork says … welcome.”

The outdoor art gallery currently features paintings made by students attending neighborhood elementary and junior high schools.

“Typically community associations organize sports activities for children in the community, but we wanted to reach out and organize an arts-based initiative for children and families,” stated Harpreet Sandhu, Vice-President of the Tuscany Community Association. “Not only does the artwork beautify the community, but it increases our sense of place and pride for all our residents.”

The TCA and Sobeys are co-sponsoring Tuscany Arts Day on June 12. Tuscany families and community residents will be invited to paint a canvas for inclusion in the project. Lindsay Blackett will be in attendance.

When all paintings are mounted, the two longest sides of the construction fence will be lined with canvases. “The outdoor art gallery serves as an excellent focal point to the Tuscany Middle School construction site,” commented Scott McGeachy, General Manager of B2L Partnership. “The artwork is very colorful and extremely creative. It will be enjoyed by both Tuscany residents and our industry partners until the school is complete.”

Building Practices Are Green and Sustainable

On April 22, as Canadians join one billion people in over 170 countries to celebrate Earth Day, B2L Partnership is proud to share our accomplishments toward being a leader in green construction. 

All ASAP II schools are being built to achieve at least a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification.  This is an independent rating system that is used to measure environmental and energy efficiency.  LEED Silver-rated buildings are up to 45 percent more energy efficient than conventional buildings.  They provide healthier environments as a result of improved air quality and the use of natural light. 

During the construction phase, an important goal when building green is to reduce the amount of material going to landfills.  For each school site, construction debris is separated into recyclables or waste.  Our goal is to have the majority of debris land in the recycle bins versus the waste bins; for example, the target set for structural steel is 95%.  By continuously tracking and analysing construction debris, we aim to achieve all targets. 

The protection and conservation of water is another key objective in sustainable building.  Recent analysis of the washroom fixtures that will be installed in the schools has shown that we are in compliance to reduce wastewater by over 50% through careful specification of low-flush urinals and toilets.

On-site training of our industry partners and trades has been conducted over the past few weeks to emphasize the importance of implementing indoor air quality measures.  The focus has been on preventing and reducing contaminates (especially dust) through measures such as outdoor cutting areas for masons, dedicated wood-shop areas, minimizing dirt tracked into the schools, and keeping mechanical equipment clean.  This process is carefully monitored and, to date, the industry partners and trades have demonstrated a great depth of knowledge and commitment to the process.

Green building practices will be monitored and analysed through all phases of construction.  The P3 model in Alberta creates real accountability for achieving LEED and for managing energy costs.  Because B2L Partnership is responsible for design, construction and maintenance of schools, it has the tools required to create sustainable and efficient schools that meet both short term LEED objectives, and long term sustainability and environmental objectives.  The resulting ASAP II schools will provide Alberta’s children with safe, healthy environments to learn and thrive.
 

Fire Deliberately Set in Coventry Hills Middle School

Calgary firefighters were called to the Coventry Hills Middle School site around 6pm on Sunday, March 6 after receiving information that smoke was coming from the construction site. Fire crews found smoke originating from the interior where a small bobcat was engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly extinguished and damage did not spread throughout the school. Other pieces of equipment nearby appeared to have been vandalized.

An investigation into the incident is now underway. Construction on the school will continue to progress as scheduled with the school open to students by September 2012.
 

Residents gain perspective on footprint of new schools

Erection of the structural steel for the majority of the schools is now complete. This milestone coupled with the installation of the high performance modular classrooms provides community residents with an excellent perspective on the size and footprint of their new neighbourhood school.

Schools will receive between eight and 16 high performance modular classrooms depending on the population demands of the community. The high performance modular classrooms are delivered to the schools in two or three phases. To date, all schools have received the first phase of high performance modular classrooms, with the exception of Sarah Thompson Elementary School (Okotoks) and Ellerslie Elementary and Junior High School (Edmonton). All high performance modular classrooms have been delivered and installed for Tuscany Middle School (Calgary) and The Hamptons Elementary and Junior High School (Edmonton).

Construction progress varies from site to site with all projects on schedule. Erection of structural steel is in high gear at the Sarah Thompson site while other schools are moving into construction of masonry, building envelopes and floor slabs.  At some sites, crews are moving indoors where interior works is now being managed.