MOOSE JAW — Prairie South School Division tendered over $900,000 in projects between April 1 and May 7, including initiatives to support playground purchases at Sunningdale School and the joint-use school.
Division administration presented a report during the May board meeting that showed the organization awarded:
- $98,668 to Leeville Construction to replace flooring at Lefleche School
- $151,892 to Leeville Construction for sidewalk upgrades at the division office
- $365,053 to Madera Playscapes to supply and install playground equipment at the new South Hill school; Prairie South and Holy Trinity will split the cost
- $20,474 to Madera Playscapes/Blue Imp for new playground pieces at Sunningdale School
- A contract to Success Office Systems to replace the division’s photocopiers; based on previous expenses, the contract could be worth roughly $300,000 annually or $1.5 million over five years
- Total contracts awarded: $936,087 / $2,137,087
Ron Purdy, superintendent of finance, told trustees that PSSD will pay for its share of the joint-use school playground equipment with $100,000 from the operating budget, plus carry-forward money from Empire and Westmount schools, revenue from fundraising activities and donations.
The ministry won’t provide funding through its provincial playground equipment program until the fall, which will be too late since the school will be open, he added. However, Prairie South can apply for funding next year to support new equipment at Palliser Heights.
Meanwhile, trustee Lew Young expressed concern with how much money Prairie South was spending to upgrade the board office’s crumbling front sidewalk and the back stairs.
“If it’s also including that (city) sidewalk out front, are we just taking it on ourselves that we’re going to be replacing it and the city’s not involved in it?” he asked. “And I haven’t bought concrete in a long time so who knows (how much it costs).”
“It’s very expensive,” several trustees replied.
Purdy said he would provide an answer to Young’s question after the meeting when he had done some research.
The next PSSD board meeting is Tuesday, June 3.
