By rdnewsNOW Staff

Secretary-Treasurer Report

Red Deer Catholic outlines projects under review for solar panels and air conditioning units

Jun 27, 2023 | 9:53 AM

The Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRC) Division outlined various projects under review in their Secretary-Treasurer Report, particularly regarding an increased demand for air conditioners.

At the Board of Trustees meeting on June 20, incoming Secretary Treasurer Laurel Latka shared three projects under review, alongside current Secretary Treasurer Rod Steeves.

Air Conditioning for Portables

The Board says some learning communities within the Division have expressed to both maintenance and central staff about rising temperatures during warmer months, particularly in portable classrooms.

The Board claims that steps taken by the Division will help alleviate the heat and provide a conducive learning environment.

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The report states air conditioning units have been ordered for school portables to receive first. The Board states there are 26 portables that are ready for the installation of the units on the roof, and the maintenance team is proceeding with the project.

They say the cost of the air conditioning will be $6,000 per unit for a total of $156,000.

The Board says the maintenance team will focus on installing air conditioning units in other schools impacted by heat issues following the completion of the portable classrooms. They state other sites require more prep work and additional investigation will be completed before moving forward.

Relocation of Portables

RDCRS says they have received funding approval from Alberta Infrastructure to relocate the two portables from St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School (3821 39 St.) in Red Deer to St. Matthew Catholic School (5735 58 St.) in Rocky Mountain House.

Latka shared in the report that the Division is currently investigating the feasibility of attaching the new portables to the existing school, but the process involves movement of the electrical line and additional site excavation.

Alternatively, they say the portables could be stand alone on the east side of the school to be completed this fall. If attached to the school, the project would not be completed until next summer.

Solar Panels

The Board says the Division’s maintenance department has received designs and budgets for the installation of solar panels at six schools.

The recommendation is for École Secondaire Notre Dame High School (50 Lees St.) and St. Joseph High School (110-2700 67 St.) to see the most significant benefit and should be considered first.

RDCRS says the two projects will come in at over $2 million and confirmed they have applied for government solar funding, which they say is typically awarded at 50 per cent. They say they are on the waiting list for the next batch of approvals.

The report states the projects will not proceed until the Division has a response on the grant applications.

They say St. Joseph’s School can be completed in any season, but Notre Dame will need to wait until next year.