Students and faculty of Nakusp Elementary School (NES) are happy to learn the building is getting a new roof.
The news is welcome, as the over 30 year-old roof has needed to be fixed for the last several years. Staff have had to deal with leaks in roof vents, patches, and general wear and tear.
Work has been done on parts of the roof over the years through the school board’s Annual Facilities Grant but there wasn’t enough funding to get the work done all at once until now, because of capital projects funding.
“They were working toward safe schools and boiler projects, roofing, trying to help out other districts that haven’t received money,” said Art Olson, manager of operations and transportation in the school district. This is the second round of funding they’ve done, and this is the second year that I’ve applied for it.”
Currently, it’s the worst roof of all the buildings in the school district.
“The roofing inspectors have looked at it and put it on the priority list, but without the funding, we haven’t been able to do it in one section,” Olson continued. “With the ministry grant this year, we’re going to be able to do it in one shot.”
The roof over the Bonnington Arts Centre will be fixed, along with the whole side along the highway. The roof toward the gym will be done as well. The roof above gym and the portables have both been fixed. In total, about three quarters of the roof will be repaired.
Insulation will also be added to certain areas to help make the building more energy efficient.
Speaking of energy efficiency, some might question what will happen to the solar panels on the roof, which were just installed this past fall.
The answer: Nothing.
“When we placed the solar panels I made sure we placed it on a section of roof that doesn’t have to be done within the next 15 years.” said Olson.
The tendering process has already been started, and work is expected to begin shortly after July 1 and will take about a month to complete.