Four design-build teams have submitted proposals to the Chilliwack School District to be considered as builders for a new elementary-middle school.
The school, which has not yet received funding from the province, will be located at the end of Tyson Road along the Vedder River Rotary trail. The district put out a request for qualifications on Jan. 30, listing the many elements a team would need to bring to the project.
Those who responded are Clark Builders, DGS Construction Company Ltd., Stuart Olson Construction Ltd., and Titan Construction Company Ltd. The deadline was March 7, and the RFQ was on BC Bid, the district website, the Journal of Commerce and local media.
The four responses will now be evaluated by the project team, based on criteria including team competition, design experience and construction experience. Up to three design-build teams will be invited to submit comprehensive proposals for the Request for Proposals, which is set to be issued in May.
Those short-listed teams will provide their proposals by late summer, for selection by the project team.
READ: School district reveals ‘2020’ vision for new southside school
The RFQ painted a vision of what the future kindergarten to Grade 8 school will look like. Fitting on a narrow 12.4 acre strip, the school will follow the same Neighbourhood Learning Centre model as Chilliwack secondary school, with extra gym space, a daycare, pre-school, and room for partnership offices. It will have room for 80 kindergarten students, 325 Grades 1 through 5 students, and 500 Grades 6 through 8 students.
The date listed for “substantial completion” is Nov. 27, 2020. The school district purchased the site in April 2017, with most schools in the city surpassed capacity numbers and about 80 portables in use across the district.
“It’s beautiful location, next to the Vedder River and surrounded by nature, including green space, park space, outdoor trails and the Blue Heron Reserve, connect it with the outdoors and provide the ideal support for a community of learners,” the RFQ stated. “In the spirit of active collaboration, students within this setting will work with teachers, peers and the community to learn to care for themselves, for others and for the environment.”