Clearspring Middle School: Chapter 5

Ron Falk and Hanover Superintendent Ken Klassen inspect the site

Welcome to the 5th chapter in the Clearspring Middle School story.  A lot of work has been done over the summer as crews took full advantage of the dry weather to get this project off the ground. 

Chapter 5: The Walls Go Up...

Construction at Clearspring Middle School in Steinbach is on track thanks in large part to great weather.  That from Steinbach Schools Chair and Hanover Trustee Ron Falk.  "We've been so fortunate that we haven't really experienced severe cold weather.  People who have driven past the school have seen the hoarding which means the outside brickwork is happening.  On the east side of the building a lot of the face brick has been completed and they are working on the courtyard now."

He reports the construction is moving ahead on time.  "Some areas are very close to being closed off and shortly after Christmas we expect in the classroom wings they will start doing some of the drywall and painting.  Right now it looks like we are very close to schedule.  The contractor is working hard, has a lot of good sub-trades here and right now it's looking good."

Falk says the school has taken shape and the various areas are easy to pick out.  "As you approach the school (from the west) on the far left hand side is a daycare, first one in our division where we have a daycare attached to the school.  To the right of that is the admin area and offices, in behind that is the vocational and tech area and then behind that is the library space.  Then it goes up into the classroom wings which are kind of a v-shape.  At the front of the school on the extreme right side with the high walls is the gymnasium, then the band room and multipurpose room is right behind it."

He notes this multi-purpose room has had a lot of thought put into it.  "It's a large meeting room, very close to the front entrance but it also opens up into the gymnasium and opens up into the band area.  So it can be used for a number of different functions.  There could be small performances given in there, it could be opened up entirely or blocked off so only half of it is used.  It just gives a whole new added dimension and gives us some added flexibility there as well."

Falk adds this building is also very friendly to the environment.  "Certainly the insulation value is going to be very good and the windows will have high end glazing.  We are using ground source geo-thermal heating to heat the school.  Together with the lighting, it is certainly going to be a leading edge green school."

"In the front of the school you will see some construction fence but the fencing you see on the south side by the walkway is all our own fencing we put in place already."  Falk notes the landscaping on the school yard is pretty much complete.  "Some trees have been planted already and grass is seeded.  We are hoping by the time the children are here (in September) we will have grass growing here very nicely."