The Lambton Kent District School Board is about to embark on a huge building modernization project at Rosedale Public School.
Superintendent of Business Brian McKay said the school, at Indian Road and Rosedale Avenue, will look completely new once the renovations are complete.
"Inside the school we're looking at a refresh of all of our classroom spaces, as well as moving our administrative offices closer to the entrance," said McKay. "So there's some movement between that into an existing classroom and then where the current admin offices are located, that will be reconverted into a classroom. So, it's kind of a swap of space."
McKay said a back area of the school will also be converted.
"We're moving classrooms around into different areas and creating -- a first of its kind for elementary schools -- a STEAM lab for science, technology, art, our mathematics program, and just a great new learning space for our students."
(An artist rendering of the STEAM lab planned at Rosedale Public School in Sarnia. Image courtesy of the Lambton Kent District School Board.)
McKay said there will also be changes to the parking lot, playground and exterior.
"We're looking at redoing the façade of the school, proper insulation, new windows, just really to tighten up the overall building structure which will help on utility costs and make it a much more efficient building."
Construction is expected to begin next July, take 24 months to complete and will be funded from capital dollars received from the ministry.
"We are looking to get out to tender in the late winter, early spring. We have the concept plans, of course, which we posted on the school website and the detailed pieces behind that are still in development. Budget is part of that development as well."
Portable classrooms will be installed and classes will rotate through them allowing year-round construction.
The original portion of the school was built in 1954, with additions added in 1963, 1964, 1971 and 2011, when a new gymnasium was built.
Just under 500 students are currently learning at Rosedale.
The board recently released a video presentation promoting the project, which can be viewed here.