entry of Walter W. Brown School
A $3.5 million renovation project is underway at Langham’s Walter W. Brown School. The exterior of this Grade 6 – 12 school will have a substantial face lift, including a new roof, new windows, new insulation and improvements to the school’s entry.
A new heating and ventilation system in the school will dramatically improve air quality and comfort for students and staff. The school will also have a new sprinkler system installed. The project will begin in early spring and will be completed in late fall, 2022, with VCM Construction Ltd. of Saskatoon as the General Contractor.
The Prairie Spirit Board of Education expressed appreciation to the provincial government for providing the funding for the current renovation project as part of the provincial stimulus funding announced in June 2020.
“On behalf of the Prairie Spirit Board of Education and local Trustee Ken Crush, I would like to thank the Government of Saskatchewan for dedicating resources to the extensive renovation project currently underway at Walter W. Brown School,” said Bernie Howe, Board of Education Chair. “The renovations to the school will support student learning and provide improved safety and function.”
The upgrades at Walter W. Brown School will prepare the building for possible future renovations and options, including the potential to expand the school to accommodate all Langham students through the consolidation of Langham Elementary School (Kindergarten to Grade 5) and Walter W. Brown School (Grade 6 to Grade 12) into a Kindergarten to Grade 12 school.
“Prairie Spirit believes there is an opportunity to “right-size” the two schools in Langham into one efficient, flexible and adaptable learning environment,” said Darryl Bazylak, Director of Education. “With the extensive upgrades to Walter W. Brown School that are currently underway, the Division is requesting the funds needed to consolidate the two schools in Langham into one renovated and expanded facility.” This request was included in the Division’s Major Capital Request list submission to the Ministry of Education.
Major Capital Request list
At its meeting on February 28, the Board of Education approved its annual Major Capital Request list to the Ministry of Education. Every year, the Ministry of Education accepts funding applications from school divisions for a maximum of three major capital requests.
The Ministry of Education will review all capital requests from divisions around the province and determine which projects are approved for the 2023 budget by next March.
Prairie Spirit’s application includes the following current priorities:
1. Leask Community School Revitalization Project
This major renovation and repair project has also been submitted to the Ministry as an emergent funding application.
Total budget: $8.028 million
2. New Joint Use School – Warman/Martensville area
This request is for a new joint use high school with Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division, the Cities of Warman and Martensville and the RM of Corman Park.
Total budget: to be determined, based on enrolment at the time of approval.
3. Consolidated K-12 school in Langham
This request would fund renovations and an addition to Walter W. Brown School to accommodate all grades from K-12 for the consolidation of Langham Elementary School (K-5) and W.W. Brown School (6-12).
Total budget: $7.1 million