Alberta Schools (ASAP III)

operational

Opportunity Between 2010 and 2012 the Alberta government delivered a total of 28 schools serving students in kindergarten through grade 9 using a P3 model. All schools were delivered on-time with estimated savings of $245 million when compared with traditional procurement. Based on the previous successes of the model delivering schools in high growth regions, the province issued an RFQ in 2011 to build an additional 12 schools in eight communities for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Innovations During construction the contractor was required to provide monthly reports on any design or construction issues. The schools followed a modular design similar to ASAP I and ASAP II, increasing efficiency and value for money. The government can reduce all monthly payments (capital, maintenance, renewal) if the contractor does not meet performance standards in the contract. The government and the contractor will begin assessing the schools starting three years before contract expiry to ensure they are in the condition specified in the contract at handback. Results Twelve new schools with a total capacity of 7,700 students were opened in eight communities, meaning Alberta students will be able to attend school in their own communities, reducing commute times. School locations are as follows: Airdrie (2 schools), Beaumont (2 schools, joint facility), Brooks, Chestermere, Cochrane, Medicine Hat, Penhold and Red Deer (3 schools). The schools address the needs of increasing school-aged populations and offer continued support for improved high school completion rates, a key component of Alberta Education’s Accountability Framework. The school boards continue to own the schools—and remain publicly accountable for delivering educational programming— while the contractor has a licence from the government to access the schools for construction, maintenance and renewal activities. The schools were designed to be energy efficient and achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification. The modular designs have a 50-year service life based on the Canadian Standards Association’s standards and can withstand a minimum of 10 re-locations over the life of the contract.

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