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CONSTRUCTION: YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 newest school months away from completion

After years of discussions and planning, the $34-million replacement for J.H. Sissons School SA国际影视传媒 Ecole 漠t艂始o SA国际影视传媒 is heading towards completion by late August, according to principal Graham Arts.
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Construction on the new Ecole 漠t艂始o was halted for a week in January due to Covid-19. Despite that, and other reductions in staff because of positive tests for the virus during construction, the school remains on pace for completion on schedule, according to the Department of Infrastructure. Photo courtesy of Ecole 漠t艂始o

After years of discussions and planning, the $34-million replacement for J.H. Sissons School SA国际影视传媒 Ecole 漠t艂始o SA国际影视传媒 is heading towards completion by late August, according to principal Graham Arts.

The new Ecole 漠t艂始o will feature 18 classrooms, a centrally-located library and a large gymnasium. The name of the school comes from the Wiilideh language, meaning cranberry. Photo courtesy of Ecole 漠t艂始o
The new Ecole 漠t艂始o will feature 18 classrooms, a centrally-located library and a large gymnasium. The name of the school comes from the Wiilideh language, meaning cranberry. Photo courtesy of Ecole 漠t艂始o

The 46,919-square-foot, two storey education facility, featuring 18 classrooms, a large gymnasium and a library, will accommodate up to 572 people. The former J.H. Sissons School, which stood on the same site on 51A Avenue, had 307.5 full-time equivalent students in September 2021.

NWT Construction cover
NWT Construction cover

For more stories on NWT and Nunavut construction projects, click here: /special-feature-publications/special-feature-pdfs/northern-construction-2022

Indigenous consultation

SA国际影视传媒淎n Indigenous consultant provided insights on the design of the building, which resulted in incorporated elements such as circular spaces, wayfinding, and colour selections,SA国际影视传媒 stated Darren P. Campbell, manager of public affairs and communications with the Department of Infrastructure.

This cavernous gymnasium is among the features of the new Ecole 漠t艂始o in Yellowknife, the school that is replacing J.H. Sissons School. Photo courtesy of the Department of Infrastructure
This cavernous gymnasium is among the features of the new Ecole 漠t艂始o in Yellowknife, the school that is replacing J.H. Sissons School. Photo courtesy of the Department of Infrastructure

The budget includes demolition of the previous school and remediation of the site, which began in July 2019; the design process for the new school; the installation of temporary portable classrooms; and furniture and equipment.

Construction, awarded to general contractor Clark Builders, began in October 2019.

Keeping the project on budget and on schedule was tested by the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced the use of alternative construction materials in some instances due to supply chain issues.

There were periods when construction staff had to be reduced in number due to cases of the virus, including a one-week shutdown this past January while Covid cases were climbing in Yellowknife and onsite. The complement of workers currently numbers between 30 and 40, but is anticipated to rise to 40 to 50 staff by May, when exterior building and civil work, such as grading, paving and concrete, resumes. During the winter, there were 15 to 25 employees needed for primarily interior work.

Clark Builders was awarded the contract for the new Ecole 漠t艂始o in Yellowknife, which will stand along 51A Avenue. The project has a total budget of just over $34 million. Photo courtesy of Ecole 漠t艂始o
Clark Builders was awarded the contract for the new Ecole 漠t艂始o in Yellowknife, which will stand along 51A Avenue. The project has a total budget of just over $34 million. Photo courtesy of Ecole 漠t艂始o

Another challenge that was encountered early on was a void SA国际影视传媒 4.5 metres at its deepest point SA国际影视传媒 located under the former school once it was demolished, according to Campbell.

SA国际影视传媒淭hrough a combination of lowering the elevation of the building with an increased blasting program and filling the remaining void space with concrete, the problem was resolved without an extension to the timeline,SA国际影视传媒 Campbell stated.

Despite the stumbling blocks, the project remains on target financially and in terms of its timeline, he added.

An Indigenous consultant provided insights on the design of the building, which resulted in incorporated elements such as circular spaces, wayfinding, and colour selections, according to a spokesperson with the Department of Infrastructure. Photo courtesy of the Department of Infrastructure
An Indigenous consultant provided insights on the design of the building, which resulted in incorporated elements such as circular spaces, wayfinding, and colour selections, according to a spokesperson with the Department of Infrastructure. Photo courtesy of the Department of Infrastructure


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