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improvements to your school facility thanks to building ontarioHamilton-Wentworth District School Board continuously strives to improve and maintain the best quality and conditions of its school facilities to support the learning environment for students and staff, and for the use of schools by the greater community.

A Capital Project is a positive investment to the school, staff, students, and surrounding community. This webpage provides information regarding current major school capital projects that are underway. Typically the status of new school construction, school additions and major alteration work projects are reported on this site.

HWDSB HVAC Reporting_2024 12 15

HWDSB School Renewal Reporting_2024 12 15

These documents outline the school improvements to ventilation and school renewal improvements that are planned for the current school year, are currently underway or have been completed in the previous school year.

What to Expect with Capital Construction Projects

The Capital Project Team completes construction projects to create exemplary learning environments that meet current and future student needs. They conduct more than 40 projects a year at various schools, in various stages. Projects include but are not limited to:

Accessibility alterations Building additions Electrical system upgrades Interior renovations Mechanical system upgrades
Outdoor playground/sports field renovations Paving replacements Roofing replacements Window and door replacements

Please see the latest Capital Projects Construction Update – June 11, 2024 for more information, or look up your school below. You can also click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

If the new project is a result of consolidation or growth, then planning is needed to support the transitions associated with school closures, boundary reviews, and naming of new schools. Please visit our Boundary Reviews or Transition Committees webpages to learn more.

Capital Construction Projects at HWDSB Schools

Please Note: Projects identified are in various stages or phases and may not be complete within the school year. If your school is not identified below, it may be part of future projects, either under Facility Benchmark Strategies or another Capital scope.

Projects Completed Summer 2024/Under Construction Projects in Design
A.M. Cunningham Gym Renovation

Accessible Washroom Renovation

Elevator Renovation
Adelaide Hoodless Corridor Ceiling Renovation

Roof Replacement

Ancaster High Hospitality & Tourism Program Renovation

Cafeteria Renovation

Washroom & Changeroom Renovation

Parking Lot Paving (Phase 3)

Parking Lot Paving (Phase 4 – Final)

Dust Collector

Balaclava Parking Lot Paving
Bennetto Elevator, stair lift(s) and Accessible Washroom Renovation
Binbrook II New 615 pp K-8 elementary school
Buchanan Park Roof Replacement Gym & Washroom Renovation
C.B. Stirling Window & Door Replacement
Central Washroom Renovations
Dalewood Stage Lift
Dundas Central Roof Replacement
Dundas Valley Dust Collector (Grade 9)
Eastdale Washroom Renovations Parking Lot Expansion

Port-a-pak Installation

Flamborough Centre Parking Lot Expansion Septic System Replacement
Franklin Road Corridor Ceiling Renovation

Washroom Renovation

Music Room Renovation

G.L. Armstrong Gym, Music, Art, Science, Learning Commons & Washroom Renovation

Corridor Ceiling Renovation

Glendale Roof Replacement (Phase 2)

Mechanical Equipment Replacement

Corridor Ceiling Renovation
Gordon Price Roof Replacement (Phase 2)
Helen Detwiler Parking Lot Paving
Hess Street Washroom & Gym Renovation

Ground Sign

Corridor Ceiling Renovation

 

Highview Mechanical Equipment Replacement Washroom Renovation
Hill Park Roof Replacement (Phase 2) HVAC Replacement
Holbrook Gym Renovation
Kanetskare Corridor Revitalization
Lincoln Alexander Window & Door Replacement
Lisgar Window & Door Replacement

Music Room Renovation

Mary Hopkins HVAC & Ceiling Renovation
Millgrove Washroom Renovation
Mount Hope New 6 classroom, Library Learning Commons Addition with 5 Room Childcare

Kindergarten Classroom Renovations

New Nash New 650 pp K-8 Elementary School with 3 Room Childcare (Paused)
New Waterdown Bay New 504 pp K-8 Elementary School with 5 Room Childcare
Orchard Park Washroom & Changeroom Renovation

 

Main Entrance Doors, Exterior Ramp and Accessible Washroom Renovation

Dust Collector (grade 9)

Parkdale Gym & Main Entrance Renovation

Playfield Updates

Elevator and Accessible Washroom Renovation
Pauline Johnson Washroom Renovation
Queen Mary Playground Renovation
Richard Beasley Roof Replacement

 

Washroom Renovation

Window & Door Renovation

Rosedale Gym Addition

Learning Commons Renovations

Sherwood Dust Collector Revitalization

Secondary School Revitalization

Sports Field Renovation

Transformer Replacement
Sir Allan MacNab Corridor Ceiling & Locker Renovation
Sir Isaac Brock Interior Finish Updates Mechanical Equipment Replacement
Sir Winston Churchill Front Entrance & Ramp Renovation

Manufacturing & Shop Renovation

Strathcona Roof Replacement
Viola Desmond Parking Lot Renovation
W.H. Ballard HVAC Renovation (Phase 2) Washroom Renovation
Waterdown Cafeteria, Washroom & Changeroom Renovation

 

Main Entrance & Foyer Renovations

Dust Collector (Grade 9 & main)

Westdale Dust Collector (main) Changeroom Renovation
Westmount Dust Collector (Grade 9) Dust Collector (main)
Westview Window & Door Replacement Corridor & Stairwell Revitalization
Yorkview Window & Door Replacement Playground Paving

Frequently Askes Questions (FAQs)

What stages are involved in Capital Projects?

  1. Project Initiation
    • information gathering through interviews and site visits.
    • reviewing monthly/annual compliance reports.
    • reviewing building condition assessment reports.
    • reviewing lessons learned.
    • discussions with HWDSB’s Planning department.
  2. Design
    • engaging qualified and licensed architects, engineers, and environmental (hazardous materials) consultants through prequalified vendor of record lists.
    • On-site investigation, testing and interviews.
    • schematic concepts, design development, initial cost estimates.
    • Submissions to all regulatory bodies (City of Hamilton for building permit, site plan application, building variances, MECP ECA, heritage planning, etc.).
    • Ensuring conformance to pretender drawings, specifications, and cost estimates
    • Preconstruction planning and phasing in collaboration with the school.
  3. Construction
    • engaging a prequalified contractor through competitive procurement.
    • Updating the rental portal with HWDSB’s Accommodation and Planning department. The Rentals team will reach out to reschedule, relocate or cancel any relevant activities during construction.
    • Documentation gathering to confirm MOL compliance of the contractor and all subtrades, performance and labour and material payment bonds, insurance, WSIB compliance.
    • Schedule, cost and quality control through regular project meetings and on-site visits.
    • Field review reports, reviewing and responding to site condition issues, third party testing and inspection, processing progress draws (invoices).
  4. Project Close
    • Consultant deficiency reviews.
    • submission of operation and maintenance manuals.
    • 1 year warranty reviews.

Who can I direct any questions or concerns to during construction?

  • Staff and families are to direct all questions and concerns to the school Principal/VP.
  • Community forums, website updates and staff information sessions, which are project dependent, may be offered to provide clarity.

How does HWDSB hire architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and other applicable subject matter experts?

  • We work with our Procurement and Risk Management Department to utilize industry standard contracts, policies, and procedures.
  • We use prequalified Vendors of Record for consultants (professional Architects and Engineers) and General Contractors.
  • Procurement is completed via a third-party tendering system to provide transparency.

A lot of HWDSB’s schools are very old, and we are worried about asbestos disturbance impacting staff, students, and the community. What steps are taken to mitigate this risk?

  • Each school also has an asbestos inventory report, which is a mandated document found in hard copy at the school, updated on a yearly basis and at the end of a construction project.
  • An Environmental Consultant is engaged during the design stage to test the school’s building materials that will be affected by construction per O. Reg. 278/05.
  • A Designated Substance Assessment Report (also called a Hazardous Building Material Assessment Report) is provided to confirm project specific hazardous materials and specialized removal requirements to facilitate the construction scope. This differs from the school’s asbestos inventory; meant to provide high level information on asbestos containing materials in each school, which takes a cautious approach to maintain staff and student safety.
  • A prequalified hazardous materials removal contractor must provide all necessary training and safety certification prior to commencing abatement.
  • The Environmental Consultant conduct visits during and immediately after removals for visual inspections as per the O. Reg. 278/05.
  • Hazardous material abatement is complete after school hours following the O. Reg 279/05.
  • If hazardous material is found, subcontractors immediately stop work, the environmental consultants complete additional testing and sampling, and decisions are made on next steps to ensure the project is following the regulations.

What will I be required to do to prepare for construction?

  • School staff may be asked to pack-up and take-home personal belongs.
  • Furniture in classrooms, meeting rooms or other school areas may be removed or relocated.
  • Classrooms may be relocated to temporary locations including portables.

How are Health & Safety risks mitigated during construction?

  • Preconstruction reviews are conducted to note site specific risks.
  • Contractors are required to secure all areas of construction through (at a minimum) hoarding walls, barricades and signage.
  • The constructor must provide a Notice of Project to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development prior to starting projects that meet the standards set out in section 6(1) of the Regulation for Construction Projects, O. Reg 213/91.
  • Temporary evacuation plans are communicated to staff and students, if required.
  • Staff and students are not permitted into the construction areas at any time.

At what times will construction be taking place?

  • Construction may occur at any time of year, whether school is in session or not.
  • Work may occur during regular daytime school hours only in areas that are not occupied by staff, students, aftercare, or childcare programs. Use of hoarding, barricades, tarping, signage etc. are used to indicate construction areas.

How will I be impacted during construction?

  • It is expected that the renovation work will result in some construction related nuisance noise, dust and/or odours including:
    • Painting
    • Mechanical equipment commissioning
    • Concrete or asphalt paving
    • General equipment maneuvering on school property.
  • All work that will cause a major disruption to the staff and students and poses a health and safety risk is scheduled to be performed after school hours. This includes:
    • General demolition
    • Floor or wall cutting or coring
    • Roofing related work
    • Hazardous material abatement.
  • Some projects will require temporary services to be utilized to complete the renovation, including:
    • Temporary heaters and/or fans
    • HEPA filters
    • Temporary electrical services, including lighting
    • Temporary doors
    • potable water service
    • temporary washroom facilities
  • From time to time, the school may experience unexpected service interruptions for these possible reasons*:
    • Power outages
    • internet or telephone
    • fire alarms or security alarms.

*If this occurs, the Board’s priority is to communicate with staff and families, identify and resolve the matter as quickly as possible to ensure staff and students can resume their regular daytime duties/activities. 

  • Construction related equipment and materials will be stored onsite in a secured, fenced in ‘staging’ area, which may encroach on staff parking or playground spaces.
  • Periodic and final inspections to confirm compliance by the City of Hamilton or other regulatory bodies during daytime hours.

What can I expect once construction is finished, and staff and students allowed to move back into the learning space?

  • The contractor will be responsible for cleaning the areas of work before handing the new space over to the school. This includes removing all garbage and debris and wiping down surfaces.
  • Caretaking staff are required to complete a final cleaning in all areas.
  • Safety is HWDSB’s primary focus. The safety of the staff, students, community members, and on-site construction workers is our focus and communication will be provided prior, during and upon completion of each project through your Principal, VP, and school website.
Updated on Friday, December 13, 2024.
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