MELFORT — The replacement elevator for Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate (MUCC) is going to be more expensive than originally planned, coming to about $300,000.
In September 2020, the elevator built in the 1960s at MUCC stopped working due to a flood in the elevator pit caused by a storm sewer cap falling off.
“When the division had to put in an insurance claim it was found there were some structural issues with the elevator,” said Marla Walton, NESD board chair. “So even though the insurance proceeds were $44,000 we have to do some upgrades to it to put it up to code.”
In November 2020, the board approved the replacement to not exceed $120,000 and to be funded with the provincial Preventative Maintenance and Renewal grant, with the total cost of the project anticipated to be about $165,000.
In June 2021, the board had to vote again after the provincial inspector ruled that the existing elevator shaft will need to be replaced as well, bringing the cost up to $300,000.
“It was something that once they got inside they started looking at some of the structural elements of it. With the building being a number of years old, the codes changed. That’s what caused the extra expense to it.”
Work is expected to begin over the summer break and continue into the fall.
A Supertrac-Portable Inclined Wheelchair Lift is currently at the school to provide access to the second floor.
