Wellington Builder’s bid still needs provincial approval

Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative

A Forest builder is the Lambton-Kent District School Board’s choice to build the new Forest school.

Trustees have accepted the bid of Wellington Builders for over $66 million to build the Blue Coast District School in Forest. The bid still needs approval of the Ministry of Education.

Lambton-Kent’s Associate Director of Corporate Services Brian McKay called the acceptance of the bid a “momentous occasion,” during the May 26 board meeting.

It has been a long wait to get to this point. The Lambton-Kent District School Board received approval to build the school which includes three child care and two EarlyON rooms Aug. 20 after eight years of planning lobbying. Blue Coast District School will consolidate Aberarder Central School, Bosanquet Central Public School, Kinnwood Central Public School and North Lambton Secondary School in one spot on Townsend Line.

Trustee Jane Bryce called the building of Blue Coast District School “a highlight of her career as a school board trustee.” Bryce praised the school board’s vision in bringing the elementary and secondary students under one roof, saying that parents, students and staff will be pleased construction is moving ahead. She hoped another school like it might be constructed in the southern portion of the school district in the future.

McKay hoped construction could begin this summer.

The Wellington Builders bid was one of three bids received, the other two amounting to $67 million and $72 million.

While the base price is $62.2 million, various smaller portions of the project were separated in anticipation that it given to a separate contractor if need be.

All three bidders submitted pricing for these separate segments and they were all awarded to Wellington Builders. Included among these separate projects was $2,510,000 for a running track and bleachers, $370,000 for playground equipment, $310,000 for gym equipment, $155,000 for right or way and roadwork scope on Townsend Line, $150,000 for field house construction, $100,000 for outdoor basketball courts, $90,000 for auto shop lifts and $60,000 for artificial turf for the day care.

With the cost of furniture, machinery and equipment, and architectural, consulting, testing and permits fees, as well as the harmonized sales tax, which was not, apart of the tender, the price will be just over $74 million.

The Ontario Ministry of Education will provide $69.2 in funding, another $3.3 million will be obtained through proceeds of the soon-to-be vacant schools and $1.5 million from the school district’s accumulated surplus, will pay for the project

Construction is expected to take place over two years. The Blue Coast District School will be built just west of the Shores Recreation Centre in Forest. The student population is expected to be over 1,100 and will include a day care.

There was one trustee who opposed the acceptance of the bid. Trustee Greg Agar was opposing the motion simply because of the choice of the contractor, something that he made clear before the vote took place.