For the last 18 months, students and staff at Namao School have held classes in some interesting places — including the library and on stage in the gym — while the building underwent extensive renovations to its interior.
But classes are more or less back to normal now that the school’s $4.2-million facelift is finally finished.
On Jan. 18, Namao School held its official grand opening after the work, which included modernizing classrooms and creating more office space, wrapped.
Principal Vernice Pollmann said poor visibility and an outdated heating system were the two main reasons why parents and the Sturgeon School Division began asking for a new school 10 years ago.
In the old building, visitors entering the school were a good distance and out of sight from the main office, Pollman said.
“That was a safety concern,” she said.
Initially, she said the request for a new school was turned down and Namao School was placed on the province’s list for major renovations.
In 2008, Alberta Infrastructure awarded funds for upgrades to the junior high wing, which was built in 1954. Additional upgrades were included after the economic downturn.
One of the most noticeable changes occurred in the school’s front foyer, which was previously characterized by a low ceiling and little natural light.
During renovations, a television for school events and numerous windows were added to the space and the ceilings were raised. Eventually, Pollmann said they will add some plants to create a social area for students.
“We’re really happy, we’re happy with the light, we’re happy with this area,” said Pollmann, standing in the new space to welcome guests earlier this month.
Paul Otto, a former student whose father also worked as a janitor at the school many years ago, said the renovations are a big improvement.
“The entrance here is more welcoming,” he said.
Jean Gwillian, a former employee who worked at Namao School for 37 years, also stopped by to see the renovations.
“It’s very impressive. It’s just so modern,” she said, after finishing a tour of the school.
She described the old school as “very crowded.”
“It’s excellent for the kids,” she said.
The renovations included the addition of white boards and FM systems in all classrooms and upgrading the mechanical room and lockers. Wireless modems were installed throughout the school to allow students to access the Internet from anywhere in the building.
In addition, the school science lab is now equipped with an emergency gas and power shut off and a gas chamber for experiments.
The library received new shelving and part of the space is now used as a computer lab.
Hallways and washrooms also received some touch-ups and the school’s caretaker now has her own office.
While renovating the junior high wing, Pollmann said workers discovered windows that had previously been boarded up.
“They can actually teach in there without the lights on a lot of the time,” she said.
Despite months of renovations, she said students, staff and parents were extremely supportive and flexible about the work environment.
“We had classes in very creative spaces, on stage and in our home [economics] lab and in our library where we normally don’t have classes full time,” she said.
Namao School is one of the oldest schools in the Sturgeon School Division and has been on the same site since 1885.
