A historic upgrade to Frontier Collegiate will take extra time and a lot more money than originally envisioned.
Construction of a new dorm and a power mechanics shop at the Cranberry Portage high school was originally anticipated to be completed by March 31 at a cost of $23 million.
But now the facilities are not expected to be operational until September, with the final provincially funded tab still unclear.
A spokesperson for the provincial government blamed the delays on an unusually cold winter and unexpected alterations to the construction plan.
Floor plan changes were necessary after deep silt – loose sedimentary material – was discovered during work to install the foundation of one of the buildings, the spokesperson said.
The province now expects the 200-bed dorm to be largely completed by the end of June and the mechanics shop to reach that stage by mid-July.
Both buildings are anticipated to be ready for student use by September.
Costs significant
The spokesperson said the delays have added “significant” costs to the projects, but a firm tab won’t be known until the work is complete.
The project will increase Frontier’s capacity to about 300 students. Over 200 students from about 20 northern Manitoba communities lived in the dorms and attended the school in 2013-14.
The new power mechanics shop – complete with four bays and teaching spaces – will replace a smaller existing facility.
Education Minister James Allum plans to attend grand openings of the buildings this fall.
Premier Greg Selinger was in Cranberry Portage late last year to celebrate the work.
“Our investments in education are building more schools, hiring more teachers and increasing opportunities for students to get the skills they need to build their future here in our great province,” Selinger said at the time.
