:: Article

Thursday, November 6, 2008

LILLIAN OSBORNE AND VICTORIA SCHOOL OF PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS

A look down one of the hallways on the main floor of Lillian Osborne SchoolLillian Osborne High School

A group of central staff from a variety of departments such as Facilities, Planning, Purchasing and Communications, recently toured the new Lillian Osborne School site. Construction on this project began in August of 2007 and is expected to be completed in May 2009.

A view of the inside of the gymnasium at Lillian Osborne School.





The exterior walls are up and windows are scheduled to be installed in November. All underground mechanical and electrical services have been installed and over the next few months those services will be roughed in throughout the building. In addition, work will also begin on finishing the interior of the structure.

The school has some unique features like exposed wood beams in the library and an open concept design. The school has been designed to be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certified building. The school is scheduled to open in September 2009.



This photo looking southeast from the Centre for Education shows a view of construction of a new, two-storey wing at Victoria School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Installation of the second floor walls and roof are nearing completion. New mechanical components destined for a mechanical penthouse have arrived and await installation, resting in an open area in the middle of the picture that will become a courtyard play area. This new wing is a major component of Phase I of the building renewal project at the School, which began in March of this year. Phase II of construction is scheduled to commence after Spring Break.Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts

Visitors to Victoria School or the Centre for Education will notice that construction at the school is progressing quickly. Construction is ongoing for the new wing, which will connect to portions of the existing school. The basic structures for this area have been erected and underground services for this area have been completed. Temporary classrooms are being used in the south, two-storey portion of the arts wing, which is currently undergoing renovation.

The arts wing is home to a variety of student murals and other pieces of art. Artwork mounted to the walls will be saved and given to the school by the contractor. Those pieces painted directly onto school walls will not be kept.

Phase 1 of the project began in February 2008 and includes the construction of a new wing as well as renovations to the existing music wing. Students and staff are still occupying the east wing of the school as well as the wing housing the daycare and out of school care (110). Construction for this phase is expected to be completed by December 2009.

Phase 2 construction is set to begin in June 2009 and will include the demolition of the east wing and the partial demolition of the 110 wing. This phase will also include renovations to the remaining section of the 110 wing and construction of the new gym. Construction is expected to be completed by July 2010.

The third phase of the project will see the demolition of the high school wing and site development work. This phase will begin in July 2010 and be completed by August 2011. The school is scheduled to open September 2011.

To view an animated file of what the Victoria School Revitalization will look like upon completed click here http://planning.epsb.ca/images/Flyover.wmv.