The construction of the High School has made good progress this summer, in spite of a minor setback in the shipping schedule. The first shipment of material for the summer season was delayed by nearly a month, as a result of poor spring weather, and ice still being present in the bay. The majority of the materials remaining to complete construction were included with the first sailing of the season. The material onboard ship included: exterior envelope cladding, exterior and interior stair assemblies, interior finishing elements, and all major equipment for electrical and mechanical components. The contractor was able to continue the construction work at a reduced pace during the delay, and has since increased its work force to make up ground lost during this period.
The school is being built in two phases: the Gymnasium, Daycare and Atrium space in Phase 1; and the Classroom wing in Phase 2. The majority of the exterior building envelope was completed over the summer, and the exterior cladding is being installed over the next few months, before the winter season settles in. A critical component to installing the building envelope is the insulated soffit underneath the building. The majority of buildings installed in the North are essentially floating boxes on stilts. Raising the building ensures that the permafrost below remains intact, and also prevents snow from drifting around the perimeter of the building. The importance of completing the building envelope, this fall, permits the building to be heated during its first full winter as a partially completed assembly. This allows interior work to continue over the winter season, and any remaining exterior work will be completed in the spring of 2016.
The completion of interior work for Phase 1 includes the construction of all partitions, the installation of mechanical and electrical components and preparation for finishing work. The construction of interior work in Phase 2 includes approximate 60% of interior stud framing and the installation of mechanical and electrical components. It is anticipated that, by the time Parkin makes its next architectural review site visit, the building will have made significant progress, and will be displaying some of the exterior and interior architectural design qualities.
