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AUGUST 2016 | 71 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY PEACE WAPITI PUBLIC SCHOOL DIVISION #76 Robert W. Zahara Public School by LAURIE JONES W hen small communities outgrow their school buildings, specifically in the elementary grade level, having a chance to start anew is something to celebrate. Such is the case for the Robert W. Zahara Public School in Sexsmith, Alberta, named after the school's original principal of 27 years and former mayor. "This school has wow factors from the time you walk in the front door with its two-storey vestibule," says Sheldon Rowe, superintendent of schools, Peace Wapiti Public School Division #76. "We have two large murals that were brought over from the old school, which helps bring the past into the future. The original painter of the murals is Suzanne Sandboe, a local artist." Another aspect of the new school that the design team and staff are particularly proud of is the expanded gym. "Often the focus is on classroom space, without as much consideration for a gym," says Rowe. "We increased the amount of money being spent on the gym here to create two full spaces. In addition, we returned to the old tradition of having one of the classrooms adjacent to the gym function as a stage. In this case, the band room is next to the gym with a soundproof wall that can be closed off. For performances, that wall goes away and curtains are opened to create a three-and-a-half-foot raised stage for Christmas concerts, plays and other presentations." The contracting bid for the school was unique in that it was done as a two- school package RFP. "We partnered with the Grande Prairie Catholic School district which enabled savings for both schools and made for a more efficient use of resources," says Rowe. "A lot of the designs could be replicated so when the trades come to do their work here, it's a similar format to the other location and the two projects can be done one after the other." As with many new schools in Alberta, core designs are created to house administration, washrooms, common areas and classrooms. "We knew this package was going to include two schools with designs that have been done before," says Brett Woodrow, architect associate, Workun Garrick Partnership. "In this case, the footprints are exactly the same size as the previous schools and we added modular classrooms." Woodrow says his firm took the bridging design to 30 per cent completion and then tendered it out to a design builder. Jen- Col Construction with ACI Architects were the successful design builders. "For the Robert W. Zahara school we added 10 modular classrooms, each attached seamlessly to the building's core area," he says. "We had to shift the original design to accommodate the existing school and running track, and during construction the old and new schools were within 10 metres of each other. In Alberta, all schools are required to be built to LEED Silver certification. At this school, to achieve additional natural lighting, we raised the roof in one section to include a clerestory design." The most important thing about the layouts of the rooms was the flexibility for current programs and future, yet unknown uses. "At the Zahara school, there are six modular classrooms on one end of the school and four on the other side," says Devin McIntosh, associate with ACI Architects Inc. "We also incorporated speech therapy and occupational therapy rooms for students who needed specialty programs." Another stand-out feature of the school is the library's curved, floor- to-ceiling glass wall on the west side of the building. "This keeps as much view and daylight in the library as possible," says McIntosh. On the exterior, Zahara's school colours of red and silver are prominent. "The back wall of the gym has wide red bars with silver in the middle. When you are coming into Sexsmith from Grande Prairie, you can see that gym from about two miles away and it almost has the look of the Canadian flag," says McIntosh. Adding brightness to the outside hues are the interior colours featuring 18 different tones to keep things lively for the elementary school children. "We also have six different flooring colours," McIntosh says. "Generally, the colours are all across the spectrum. Having a room with only one colour is not conducive to the level of energy kids have." McIntosh adds the school has a small servery that accommodates an active group of parents who come in and help with the hot lunch program. Jen-Col Construction Ltd. had to do a small demolition on the existing school while building the new facility, because the modular classrooms encroached onto the old space. "To make this work, we relocated and converted a couple of classrooms," explains Rene Dubeau, senior project manager, Jen-Col Construction Ltd. Dubeau adds that they turned over the finished school in March 2016. "The alignment was just before spring break so staff could use the break to relocate. After the old school demo is completed a parking lot will go in its place." Mike Nowlan, engineering manager, structural group for Williams Engineering Canada, says the school has open web steel joists on the main floor. "It was more economical to install a steel floor joist with a concrete deck and it provides a small crawl space," he says. "It is a little more expensive than slab-on-grade but it's more stable on a clay base. It allows the soil to move and fall away without the heaving issues found in slabs." Electrical systems installed in the school took the flex spaces into account on many levels. "We put perimeter lighting in the space so it keeps the ceiling clean and everything is lit from the perimeter," says Dick Ong, principal, JO Engineering Inc. "We used LED lighting, and occupancy and daylight sensors to further save energy by turning the lights off when not required." A LOCATION 9802-93 Street, Sexsmith, Alberta OWNER/DEVELOPER Peace Wapiti Public School Division #76 ARCHITECT Workun Garrick Partnership (Bridging Architect) ACI Architects Inc. (Architect of Record) GENERAL CONTRACTOR Jen-Col Construction Ltd. STRUCTURAL/MECHANICAL/ CIVIL CONSULTANT Williams Engineering Canada ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT JO Engineering Inc. TOTAL SIZE 48,782 square feet TOTAL COST $18 million Robert W. Zahara Public School 9:16 AM 9:50 AM 9:32 AM

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