The Grande Prairie Public School Board has plans to move the administration staff to a new location. The City of GP receives possession of their current admin office downtown at the end of the year and the School board has purchased the “Focus” building on 120th Avenue.
Board Chair John Lehners says with renovations, the cost should be under $6,000,000 and they would not have had the same value if they built a brand new building.
“We wouldn’t have got the value nor would we have been able to get in there as quick as we are now. There are a lot of factors that make this a positive for our board.”
He explains that with the bigger space they can move their IT department back into the same office and they will be able to host their principal meetings without spending money on renting space.
“It will become increasingly awkward with the addition of two new schools. That will be some cost savings as we don’t need to rent outside facilities.”
Lehners says the purchase of the building is approximately $3,850,000.