A Sexsmith school will be demolished this summer after a new replacement was made in the same name. Peace Wapiti School Division Superintendent Sheldon Rowe explains that the now former Robert W. Zahara school was a slab structure and with the clay underneath it, engineers established that the walls were shifting and a change was needed.
“We worked with the government to replace it with larger newer school than what we had. It had also reached capacity. This one has a beautiful gym, a nice music room with a stage type approach to it”
They’ve made arrangements to have the older building demolished in the summer.
“Where the old building is, we will put down a parking lot. We will, before that, County Fire Department has asked to do training in the building. I assume they will fill it full of smoke.”
Over 80 firefighters from across Northwest Alberta will be at the training session at the old school which will take place this weekend.
Other plans for schools in the School Division include the completion of renovation at a school in Teepee Creek in Fall 2016. The Whispering Ridge school just went to tender as well and the Superintendent explains that they should have that completed and ready for students by Christmas 2017. Harry Balfour School has reached capacity and this new Whispering Ridge school will help with easing the pressure put on by the amount of students.