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DECEMBER 2018 | 75 Fort McMurray Composite High School Modernization by ROBIN BRUNET T ypically in the public school sector, the desire to modernize a specific facility doesn't necessarily corre- late with the speed in which funding becomes available – and much analy- sis is undertaken first to determine if the modernization will consist of a complete demolition and rebuild, an extensive renovation, or judiciously- chosen improvements. The Fort McMurray Composite High School modernization project is a classic case of the latter, in which ACI Architects Inc., Delnor Construction Group, and a group of trades working at the top of their game were able to completely revitalize the 1,250-stu- dent building, which was constructed in 1974, without having to fundamen- tally alter the structure. The architects and builders also proved adept at applying their handi- work, while keeping the facility open for business, without undue disruption to the students' learning process. "This project was a long time in coming; in fact, it began 15 years ago when we listed the school as a priority among various schools that needed attention," says Allan Kallal, associate superin- tendent, business and finance for Fort McMurray Public School District 2833. He adds, "We were fortunate in that while the mechanical systems, electri- cal, and plumbing had reached the end of their lives, the much-needed work in transforming the school from a dark and gloomy environment to one that is open and light did not affect the struc- tural design much." A government value analysis helped determine what the parameters of the project should consist of, and when funding became available (as part of a provincial commitment to build and modernize 120 schools across Alberta) the work was broken into two phases. Because the overall structure would remain largely unaffected, the first phase focused on mechanical, electrical, HVAC and plumbing replacement, pre- sided over by Hukalo Oberg Engineering Ltd (H O Engineering) and AECOM. "This work included replacing our boiler as well as getting rid of asbestos, as it was used as jacketing around pipes and for insulation," says Kallal. Phase one was completed by June of 2014. In tackling how to undertake the second phase modernization, Anthony Brammar, architect and principal emeritus at ACI, acknowledges that, "while Fort McMurray Composite was built during the 1970s energy crisis and was therefore almost bunker-like in some ways, it also undeniably had huge spaces you simply couldn't afford to build nowadays under government funding: specifically, the huge wood, fabrication, and auto shops." Working with the original blue- prints as well as the first phase engineering drawings, ACI undertook extensive measurement of spaces as well as worked out a phasing strategy that would effectively shuttle students and faculty from one area of the build- ing to the next as construction crews worked on portions of the facility. Constant care was taken to keep costs under control. "For example, the school had no sprinkler system, and to provide one would have been so com- plex and unfeasible that there would have been no money left to do the upgrade," says Brammar. "So instead, we consulted with the building code authorities and improved and upgraded the Fort McMurray Composite origi- nal design of fire compartments. A lot of the concrete block school was com- partmentalized to an extent already, so we extended block walls where needed, enhanced exiting, and ensured that everything was intact." In assessing the original design, the team at ACI focused on several class- rooms stacked against the exterior walls and another group of classrooms further inside that were closed off from natural light. "We decided to create two main flex areas, one in the centre with natural illumination from the ceil- ing, and the other at the front of the school," he says. Kallal says, "These gathering spaces were a great touch: they effectively lightened the overall ambiance, pro- vided a significant social congregation spot, and are also important in fulfill- ing the 21st-century learning concept of 'any time in any space.'" Colour was also vital in transform- ing the ambiance from dark to light. "We used linoleum to replace the old flooring of tiles, and in addition to lino- leum being resilient it also allowed us to introduce colour throughout, both as a pleasing visual as well as to improve wayfinding," says Brammar, adding that replacing the flooring would also enable Delnor crews to remove the remaining asbestos from the facility. "Additionally, we created friezes of graffiti that could attach to the two main flex areas and along some corridors." The modernization was structured so that departments such as cosmetology and culinary would receive new layouts and equipment, "but we weren't sure if this could be kept within budget, so we presented several renovation options instead of just one and determined the feasibility of the various upgrades as work progressed," says Brammar. "Ultimately the second phase came in under budget, and that allowed us to do everything we originally intended." Delnor's work included adding windows to bring natural light into classrooms, and at entry level work crews excavated a portion of the floor and raised sections of the roof to cre- ate a spacious atrium. Delnor also removed a stucco frieze containing asbestos around the exterior walls, as well as new panelling with a mix of Hardiepanel and metal cladding, at the same time increasing the insulation for better building energy performance. Delnor also reconfigured the front entrance to create better drop off zones and expanded the parking lot. "We also repaired and sloped the landscaping away from the school," says Kallal. Earlier this year, provincial edu- cation minister David Eggen toured the nearly completed Fort McMurray Composite High School and remarked: "Schools are not just a place where kids get an education, they are centres for community as well. Having the school modernized will be a source of pride and something people can use in the city of Fort McMurray for generations to come." Kallal agrees, adding, "This project was a long time in the planning, and the result is fantastic." A LOCATION 9803 King Street, Fort McMurray, Alberta OWNER/DEVELOPER Fort McMurray Public School District 2833 ARCHITECT ACI Architects Inc. GENERAL CONTRACTOR Delnor Construction Group STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT BPTEC Engineering MECHANICAL CONSULTANT Hukalo Oberg Engineering Ltd. (H O Engineering) ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT AECOM TOTAL SIZE 11,406 square metres TOTAL COST $37.2 million Fort McMurray Composite High School Modernization RENDERINGS COURTESY ACI ARCHITECTS INC. 10:06 AM

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