Three Oaks renovation accelerated over summer months

With a large part of the renovation now complete, Three Oaks High School students will see many areas of their Summerside school transformed when they return to classes next week.

More than 70 percent of the renovation is now done following an accelerated summer construction schedule. To date, 112,000 square feet of work has been completed.

“Crews worked diligently to accelerate interior demolition during the summer months so we could minimize the impact on students and staff,” said Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Paula Biggar. “All the removal of hazardous material was completed well in advance of the beginning of the school year.

"Generally, there has been significant progress in the renovations and I believe the school community will be pleased with the results."

The project will be more than 85 percent complete when the gym and change rooms are finished in September and the kitchen, cafeteria and stage areas are done in mid-October. The 14 percent remaining in mid-October will include seven classrooms on the second floor above the entrance, two biology labs, a teacher planning centre, student washrooms, and an art, computer and general science lab.

The school will be like new when the project is complete in early 2019, Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Jordan Brown said.

“Students and staff will have access to bright and modern spaces that support the delivery of today’s high school curriculum and programming,” he said. “The student learning experience will be much improved in bright and well-equipped classrooms and labs with interactive technology, breakout rooms that support small group work, and more integrated resource and inclusive education areas.

“The patience and cooperation of students and staff during the construction is acknowledged and much appreciated,” the minister said. “When the work is completed in a few months, Three Oaks will be a much better place to teach and learn.”

The $22.6 million renovation of Three Oaks is the first major upgrade to the school since it opened in 1976. The renovation is expected to keep the school viable for the next 25 to 30 years.

Media contacts:
Jean Doherty
jmdoherty@gov.pe.ca

Katie MacDonald
katiemacdonald@gov.pe.ca
 

Backgrounder

Work completed to date on Three Oaks High School:

• 27 classrooms as well as the chemistry and physics labs, independent study areas, student services, resource and inclusive education areas have been completely renovated;
• the library and accompanying breakout spaces are finished, as well as a new band room, music classroom and practice areas;
• the lecture theatre has been totally remodeled and attached to the library;
• a new culinary lab and blackbox theatre was completed last year; a major upgrade to the front entrance is complete, and the school has a whole new ventilation system;
• all roofing has been upgraded;
• all parking lots have been paved, and major improvements have been made to the student drop-off area and the school bus parking at the east end of the building;
• exterior lighting improvements have been made; and
• the upgraded track and field sports venue is now complete.