Although official numbers have not been released by the province, recent history suggests that Athabasca’s new secondary school could cost between $40–60 million.
Infrastructure Minister Ric McIver announced Jan. 24 that a new school would be built in Athabasca by 2016, replacing Edwin Parr Composite (EPC) School.
No cost estimates were included with the announcement. “As a matter of process, we don’t typically release these numbers because we don’t like to forecast our budgets to bidders,” Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA and Education Minister Jeff Johnson noted.
However, recent school projects in Alberta with similar capacities to the new Athabasca school — about 1,000 students — suggest a price tag upwards of $40 million.
“A typical high school for 1,000 students can range from approximately $40 (million) to $60 (million),” said Trevor Gemmell with Alberta Education Communications. “That may seem like a wide range, but it depends on how the school is built, and when and where it’s being built.”
He noted construction and labour costs vary across the province.
Gemmell added that generally speaking, costs associated with new schools follow similar patterns. Construction typically comprises 80–85 per cent of project costs, while furniture and equipment for the new facility usually comes in at 6–8 per cent of the budget. Other common associated costs include 2–5 per cent for consulting fees, 1–2 per cent for labs, and a further 1–2 per cent for incidentals. A contingency of 2–3 per cent is also budgeted.
Alberta Infrastructure identified three recent school projects as possible comparables to the Athabasca project.
Cold Lake High School was completed in 2009, designed to serve 800 students between Grade 9–12. Its construction cost was just under $31.2 million; using Gemmell’s percentages for other costs, that extrapolates to a total cost of approximately $36.7 million.
Cold Lake High School is physically connected to both the Cold Lake Energy Centre, a multi-purpose recreation facility, and Portage College’s Cold Lake campus. Together, the facilities are part of Imperial Park, which includes outdoor recreation facilities such as soccer pitches and ball diamonds.
Lillian Osborne High School in Edmonton was also completed in 2009. It was built to serve 1,000 Grade 10–12 students at a construction cost of approximately $27.7 million (estimated total cost of approximately $32.5 million). Though a standalone facility, it is located immediately adjacent to the Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre.
Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Fort McMurray was completed in 2011 at a construction cost of approximately $39.5 million (estimated total cost of $46.5 million). It has capacity for 1,000 students from Grades 10–12. The facility also houses the Suncor Energy Centre for Performing Arts.
Gemmell noted that all three projects would have been tendered 5–7 years ago, so inflation and cost escalation is factored into the estimate of $40–60 million for a new project.
Johnson said the partnership possibilities with the new school, which include the Athabasca Regional Multiplex, a potential new library and the possible redevelopment of the brick school, may result in savings.
“The advantage and appeal of this potential project is also the possibility to save significant (money) through partnerships, either by using the fieldhouse and fields, co-location of library, and the new concept of a fine arts campus in Athabasca — all of which would save the taxpayer (money) on capital and ongoing operations,” he said.
The Jan. 24 announcement opened a 30-day window for Aspen View Public Schools to confirm the new school’s location — presumed to be near the multiplex — and firm up its partnerships related to the project, including with the multiplex, Athabasca University and other stakeholders.
