After a recent inspection found a collapsed roof and black mold in Fawcett’s W.R. Frose School, Pembina Hills Public Schools is investigating the cost of demolishing the now-empty building.
At the March 2 board meeting, trustees heard that director of facilities and transportation Tracy Tyreman conducted an inspection of the former Fawcett school in late February.
Ultimately trustees directed administration to get a quote for the school’s demolition — there was no definitive timeline given for when the building will meet the wrecker’s ball.
In an interview following the meeting, board chair Jennifer Tuininga said the building had deteriorated badly over the winter, noting that half the ceiling in one classroom had collapsed because of water leaks.
Tyreman had also discovered collapsed drywall and the appearance of black mold within the building, along with various structural concerns.
Pembina Hills had previously advertised for a non-profit organization to take over the empty school and 10.91 acre property —only one proposal had been received, noted Tuininga.
Although she wouldn’t release who was interested, the issue is basically moot given the building’s current state.
“We can’t hand this off to a third party,” said Tuininga.
W.R. Frose School has sat vacant since the start of the 2014 school year, when the students from Fawcett and Jarvie were moved to the new Pembina North Community School in Dapp.
In December, the trustees voted unanimously to sell the empty Jarvie School building for $1 to the Jarvie Community Council to convert into a community centre.
