Holy Trinity Catholic School Division installed a new carpet in Vanier Collegiate’s library in August, and already, some people are calling for its removal because it is supposedly unattractive.
Matt Heisler, supervisor of buildings, provided a report during the Sept. 26 board meeting about the renovation projects the division pursued this summer as part of its multi-year preventative maintenance and renewal (PMR) strategy.
During the presentation, trustee Derek Hassen praised Holy Trinity’s PMR activities and how it was approaching the rejuvenation of classrooms and schools. Yet, he also had concerns about Vanier’s carpet.
“I continue to get comments and hear different things about it. Honestly, I probably haven’t had as many comments and questions directed my way about any topic as I have for this topic,” he laughed. “My understanding is it hasn’t been received in terms of the aesthetics.”
The carpet contains a mixture of green, black and marble colours.
Hassen then wondered how much the floor cost and whether it could be replaced.
The carpet was $30,000, while it would cost about $20,000 to remove it and install a more office-friendly flooring, Heisler said. However, the current material is better because it’s glued down, compared to other carpets that use tabs and don’t stick to the ground as well.
“The decision to use this product wasn’t something that was just (haphazardly done),” he stated.
Meetings were held about seven months ago to discuss the École St. Margaret School renovation project and the division received brochures and pictures of this carpet in an office space, Heisler said. It looked good, it was already being promoted for new schools, and department staff thought it could work in existing buildings.
Heisler understood the concerns since the carpet was new but thought it toned down all the other renovations. Meanwhile, department staff will install brighter, maple-coloured light fixtures, paint the walls and add modern furniture to enhance that space.
“I have no doubt it’s a quality product … ,” said Hassan, noting he’s personally seen the carpet twice. “(But) for whatever reason, this has got people active. And the lifespan on that carpet is going to be 20 (to) 30 years or whatever it’s going to be.”
The trustee thought the division should tell people to “suck it up” since there were few other options. He added that this is an important issue for him because Holy Trinity is pursuing renovations at St. Margaret and building a new joint-use school — and both require new furniture.
When both school divisions take over the new school in 2025, the furniture, carpet, paint and other aesthetic items will be four years old since those major decisions occurred in 2021.
Heisler has attended seminars where a learning environment-focused organization showcases new schools and the furniture in them. Everything he’s seen is focused on a “flowing (and) bright environment.”
Instead of “jumping on the bandwagon” and ripping out the carpet now, the buildings department supervisor thought the division should “suck it up” for three years and wait until the library’s renovations were complete. This would tie together the environment and hopefully calm down people.
Heisler noted that Vanier’s principal, vice-principal, and others were involved in choosing the carpet. However, the “mistake” is there was no physical sample to see, only a picture, so the group couldn’t make an informed decision.
Joann Blazieko, board chairwoman, hoped Heisler could soon address the library’s aesthetics to make it “a little more palatable” for people. She noted that the hospital has a similar carpet — it’s not a colour anyone would intentionally pick — that was chosen for its longevity.
Division administration should consider making changes over Christmas to address people’s concerns, even if it’s just painting the walls a brighter colour, she added. She would hate to see the carpet torn out and $30,000 wasted.
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