There have been some delays to the tendering process for the future elementary school facility that will be constructed at the site of the former Weyburn Junior High, but Manager of Operations and Facilities for Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division Andy Dobson believes it will be worth it in the end.

Dobson said the area has been cleared of the former building.

“The demolition made their timelines,” he said, noting that construction of the new facility, which will be a 700-student elementary school as well as a community recreation, arts and cultural centre, will begin in the spring.

Dobson explained there have been some delays to the process, due to extra time having been taken for third-party Cost Consultants to conduct a costing-out of both projects for both the school division and the City.

“We’re going through their per-qualifications of general contractors, mechanical, electrical and controls,” he said.

The tender for the project will open November 27, ending September 18.

“We’ll go through that process, select a general (contractor), and then the school board needs board approval, Ministry approval, and the City will require Council approval,” he explained.

He said the contract should be awarded in the third week of January, and that construction would be about 24 months in total. March of 2021 is the estimated time for completion of the construction.

Dobson said they would be moving playgrounds from Haig, Souris and Queen Elizabeth schools in the spring/summer of 2021.

“The majority will be new stuff, but we will have some movement of existing equipment,” he said.

He noted that the school division has been purchasing desks in advance and they will continue taking advantage of other cost savings that will arise from budgetary adjustments.

Dobson said taking the time to do due diligence in advance should avail a greater result.

“Hopefully all the up-front work we’re doing will pay dividends as we get into construction and final product,” he said.

The new super school is still set to open in September of 2021.