Project to expand Alma school for junior kindergarten approved

A $250,000 expansion and renovation project to accommodate full-day kindergarten at Alma Public School has received the go-ahead from the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB).

The work at Alma PS is part of a series of 10 renovation and construction projects for full-day kindergarten approved by the board, in June. In addition to Alma, UGDSB schools included in the capital plan are: Credit Meadows, Island Lake, Priory Park, Rickson Ridge, Salem, Willow Road, Centre Peel, Westwood and JD Hogarth.

With a target budget of $250,000, the Alma project is among the smallest on the list and won’t require education ministry approval. Ministry approval is required on projects over $250,000. Other projects on the list have budget targets ranging from $245,000 to $1.6 million.

The Alma project will involve construction of one additional kindergarten room and a small expansion to an existing classroom. This will give the school two kindergarten rooms allowing it to effectively house the full-day kindergarten program.

The board is implementing the full-day Kindergarten program throughout the district in accordance with direction from the province. The program is designed to be fully implemented in all UGDSB schools in Sept. 2014.

All 10 projects will require a competitive procurement process and will be undertaken as soon as possible.