HUMBOLDT — Humboldt Collegiate Institute (HCI) is expected to have construction begin in the spring on the addition of a $400,000 portable classroom, with completion aimed for this summer.
Portable classrooms are self-contained classrooms with their own heating system, connected to the main school’s electrical network.
Kevin Garinger, Horizon’s director of education, said their goal is to have it ready for use in the beginning of the 2022-23 school year.
The Horizon School Division received funding from the province to cover the build, which is expected to complete the construction excluding any potential inflation.
“One of the challenges is being able to get access to material and that sort of thing as well,” Garinger said. “I know any of those companies that are involved in the construction of portables are also in the same boat we are, and everyone else is – supply chains are tight and the ability to access supplies is challenging for anyone at this current time.”
HCI is currently at capacity, serving upwards of 400 students. Garinger said that while there is “some room for growth,” it isn’t designed for any additional student population.
“We’re very grateful to the Ministry of Education and the government for approving that project and being able to get that portable moving and getting to the construction and implementation phase.”
HCI isn’t the only Horizon School Division build, with Englefeld School undergoing the second phase of their renovations, which is focused on washroom facilities. The $100,000 renovations include accessibility and gender neutral additions.
