Dave Freckelton, principal of the Pictou Campus located in Stellarton, said he’s pleased with the progress on the project and excited for the potential the new wing will offer students and staff.
“Everything is going according to plan,” he said.
The $15.2 million expansion was announced in the fall with funding from the federal and provincial governments. Construction began immediately and has continued through the winter with site work and exterior walls erected.
The Trades Innovation Centre will add 38,000 square feet to the local campus to accommodate the carpentry, cabinetry, motor vehicle repair and heavy-duty equipment programs. While allowing the school to expand those programs, which have historically had long wait times, it also frees up space in their existing building for other things.
Freckelton said construction crews are now busy working on the interior of the new wing as well as the roof. They also have put a new floor into the gym of the school, which will be completed by the end of April.
Freckelton said that space may be used for storage while the project is completed but when basketball players get to use it again, they’ll notice the difference of the quality of the floor.
The new building will be environmentally efficient, certified to LEED Gold standards with geothermal heating as well as some solar panels.
So far Freckelton said there has been little to no disruption to the day-to-day operations at the school. This week as regular class ends and work experiences begin, the construction crews will be able to move into the existing area for any needed renovations there. He said the business office, for example, inside the school will be moving down the hall temporarily.
When students return Sept. 1, the school should be ready to use.
“I hope I can reflect on this in 10 years that this really made a difference for our community and students,” Freckelton said.
