Construction material with asbestos must be removed
May 09, 2008 - 03:51
By Jennifer Stone
BOWMANVILLE -- Renovations slated for Bowmanville High School will overlap this and next school year and part of the work will entail removal of asbestos-containing construction materials.
That could mean warm conditions for students in interior classrooms, since the first couple of weeks of the 2008-09 school year will begin without air circulation to classrooms which do not have windows.
A letter sent home with students Thursday explains the situation to parents.
Originally, it was expected the $2.25 million in renovations, which include refurbishment of all the ventilation ducts, replacement of every window in the school, tile replacement and minor painting, would be completed over the summer break.
Board spokesman Greg Kidd said students have not been at any risk as a result of the asbestos-containing construction materials being in the rooms. According to the letter sent home, there are four rooms in which the material exists.
"To ensure that we can provide air circulation by our projected date of mid-September, we must begin work on two of these rooms -- a mechanical room and the dance studio -- in early June," said the letter. The area is to be "completely isolated" from the rest of the school during the work.
It's normal to find materials like asbestos in such buildings, said Mr. Kidd.
"In any building of a certain age, the reality is, the construction materials used contain some portion of asbestos material in them," he said Thursday. The asbestos is only a concern during the actual removal, "not prior or after," he said.
The board is inviting parents to a public meeting on the issue on Wednesday, May 14, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the BHS auditorium.
Part of the discussion will be whether there will be a need to relocate students during the renovation, should it get too hot.
In June, air ventilation will be available to the entire school, save for the auditorium, cafeteria and technical classrooms. In September, the greatest issue is anticipated to be in the school's interior classrooms, since exterior rooms have windows that, once replaced, will open to allow air flow.
The renovations have to be done during the warmer part of the school year, said Mr. Kidd.
"We have a four-month (construction) window that we're trying to place in the school year to minimize disruption, and to maximize use of the summer break," he said.
It's potential short-term pain for long-term gain, Mr. Kidd said.
"Ultimately, the end goal is to end up with a vastly improved school," he said.
Latest News
Dead Pickering bird ends West Nile seasonDURHAM -- A dead bird found in Pickering is the latest to test positive for West Nile virus (WNV).The crow was picked up on Sept. 2 and was the eighth bird in Durham in ...
Gas leak evacuates 10 Pickering homesPICKERING -- A gas leak on Sheppard Avenue in Pickering Thursday afternoon caused residents to evacuate their homes for more than five hours, a City official said.Everett ...
Relief for westbound commuters on Hwy. 401DURHAM REGION -- Two lanes of the westbound 401 collectors at the Don Valley Parkway have re-opened for the morning rush hour commute, however, the exit ramp to the DVP/404 on...
Top Prospects Game likely coming to OshawaOSHAWA -- It appears furious negotiations this week will see the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game land in Oshawa. David Branch, commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League and ...
GM sales plummet in AugustDURHAM -- General Motors of Canada's sales plummeted in August, with tiny cars from other brands seeing big increases in sales. GM's car sales were down 19 per cent and truck ...
Mutton auditor charged by professional bodyCLARINGTON -- The accountant who conducted the audit into former Clarington Mayor John Mutton's expenses has been charged by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of ...
Repatriation ceremony on Saturday eveningDURHAM -- The latest repatriation ceremony is scheduled to come through Durham Region early Saturday evening. Three Canadian soldiers were killed and five others were injured ...
Teen beaten, robbed at house partyAJAX -- More than 20 charges have been laid against an Ajax teen after a violent robbery at a house party that saw a victim pistol-whipped. Officers seized drugs and guns, ...
Westbound 401 collectors at DVP remain closed for evening commuteDURHAM REGION -- Toronto-bound commuters will face delays on the westbound 401 at the DVP as the cleanup continues in the wake of a fiery early morning crash. A ...
Longtime Ajax teacher dies DURHAM -- After 19 years, Lester B. Pearson Public School has been forced to say goodbye to longtime teacher Larry Shortt. The Grade 6 teacher, who was 56, died Aug...