MOOSE JAW — Prairie South School Division issued more than $1.5 million in tenders for three projects in May, with initiatives focusing on upgrading mechanical systems, supporting outdoor classrooms and purchasing new equipment.
Between May 1 and 31, the division gave out $1,589,261 to contractors to complete several projects, including:
- $1,498,135 to Leeville Construction to upgrade the mechanical system at Rockglen School
- $68,855 to Avalon Ranch Ltd./Brad Meggison to construct an outdoor learning centre at Avonlea School
- $22,271 as part of a trade for a 2021 Bobcat steer loader
Under the Education Act, 1995, school divisions are required to acquire competitive bids for the purchase, lease or acquisition of real or personal property, building materials, provision of transportation services and other services exceeding $75,000, and for the construction, renovation or alteration of a building and other capital works exceeding $200,000.
Ron Purdy, superintendent of finance, said during the recent June board meeting that the division had $2.4 million in preventative maintenance and renewal (PMR) funding for this year, and the Rockglen project required most of it, which shows how fast this provincial funding can evaporate with certain projects.
Meanwhile, the Avonlea project will be similar to what Sunningdale School has for an outdoor-type classroom, and the division acquired a new Bobcat through a program that allows organizations to trade in their machines every two years for a new one, he continued.
Prairie South bought this second-hand Bobcat several years ago for $100,000, so this trade-in program is similar to signing a 10-year lease for a new one, the finance superintendent said.
Purdy added that it was difficult to trade in the Bobcat because the division also had to give up all the attachments it purchased for the machine.
The next PSSD board meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 3.
