New schools provide an enhanced learning experiences for Okanagan students Previously published in the 2011-12 SICA Construction Review, official annual publication of the Southern Interior Construction Association, as published by DEL Communications Inc. Reprinted with permission.
Students at three new schools can look forward to state-of-the-art facilities that promote cultural heritage, innovative learning opportunities, and energy conservation. M.V. Beattie in Enderby and Vernon Secondary School are each in the midst of new builds on existing school properties, while South Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver is undergoing an addition and major renovation. The new M.V. Beattie Elementary School is a 3,315-square-metre building for approximately 315 students and teaching staff. Scheduled for completion this October, the new facility replaces the original 1913 brick building and annex that was constructed in 1983. A unique aspect of the school is its six-foot crawlspace, which houses the
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Ops Talk • Fall 2011
building’s mechanical equipment and heat pumps. “The school is located in a flood plane zone, so a crawlspace is preferable to a full basement,” says Vicki Topping, partner, MQN Architects. “Also, we can give extra space to the main floor of the building, rather than waste square footage on mechanical and electrical spaces.” Unlike many commercial and institutional projects, the site was prepared and ready for construction prior to putting the job out for tender. “Because the site was prepared, there weren’t a lot of unknowns for the general contractor and he could focus on the critical areas within his scope of work,” Topping says. “This saved the school district a lot in both time and money.”
The new M.V. Beattie school’s front entrance is modeled after the entrance of the original school, and the historical “Established in 1913” engraved plaque will be salvaged and put on display in the building’s foyer. Although the school district is not seeking official LEED® certification, the new facility is being built to the LEED Gold standard. The building incorporates a lot of recycled materials and materials with low VOCs. There is plenty of natural light, occupancy sensors, and low-flow faucets and toilets. The building’s mechanical system includes a geothermal heating and cooling system that will support 80 to 85 per cent of the building’s peak load, and save approximately 50 per cent in energy consumption, compared to conventional systems. Piping was installed six feet underground using a new trenching technique that is very cost-effective. “With some of the newer designs, we’re seeing a trenching technique that is more popular in Manitoba but is new to the Okanagan area,” says Don Poole, mechanical engineer for Poole and Associates. “A powerful ditch-witch is very efficient in cutting through the fine silt that you find in Enderby. Years ago, the payback for a geothermal system was about 30 years; but with this technique, the return on investment is just 12 to 15 years.” Exciting new additions to M.V. Beattie include Smart Board technology and a Human Machine Interface (HMI) for each classroom. The HMI is a five-inch by eight-inch mini-computer with an LCD touch screen. The device is mount-
