Proposed bleacher and flooring upgrades at PVSS have hit a snag in Armstrong. (photo credit: School District # 83)

By Kevin Rothwell

Decades old fire damage discovered

High school gym renovation hits major snag

May 20, 2021 | 1:02 PM

Like any renovation of an older building, you never know what is under the surface, and a planned gymnasium upgrade at Pleasant Valley Senior Secondary in Armstrong is proving that.

An $85,000 project was announced in March to replace the floor and bleachers and repaint.

“Work to retrofit the gym has shown that fire damage at the school in the 1970’s was not finished properly and will now have to be fixed. There may even need to be a full gym replacement,” superintendent of School District 83, Peter Jory, told trustees at a meeting Tuesday May 18.

Although the extent of the problem has not been fully detailed, it is known that the gym will not be available for use. Other arrangements are being investigated and will have to be made for the fall.

Secretary-Treasurer Alanna Cameron added it is still early stages and the full scope of the required work is not yet known. She noted they have been in touch with the Ministry of Education and have been assured “we will be sent a life raft.”

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“Once we know the cost, we’ll get a more definitive direction from the ministry. I’m confident we will get some funding help,” Cameron said. “We want to minimize the impact on students.”

A further update will be provided at the June board meeting.