Brandon School Division Secures $854K for Vital Infrastructure Projects

The Brandon School Division has received a significant boost with a provincial promissory note valued at $854,100 to fund essential infrastructure projects at four different locations. Superintendent Mathew Gustafson confirmed the development, indicating a focused effort to enhance and maintain school facilities across the city.

The financial support will contribute to several key initiatives, including the installation of a modular classroom at Meadows School, roof replacement at Kirkcaldy Heights School, crawlspace remediation at École secondaire Neelin High School, and the acquisition of land in southwest Brandon for a future K–8 school. The province’s funding mechanism is structured as a promissory note, allowing for reimbursement in stages as the projects progress.

“This authorization allows us to proceed, with the province reimbursing us at different stages,” Gustafson stated. “Some projects, like the Meadows modular classroom, represent the largest share of the note, while others, such as the land purchase, are smaller amounts tied to additional project support, including legal services.”

Gustafson’s remarks come in light of reports last year that highlighted the pressing infrastructure needs of school divisions across Manitoba, which face collective repair costs estimated in the hundreds of millions. The Brandon School Division (BSD) is home to some of the province’s oldest schools, many of which require immediate attention regarding roofs, boilers, and HVAC systems.

The planned K–8 school in southwest Brandon is particularly significant, as it aligns with the city’s growth and capacity demands. Rezoning for the site was approved this summer, facilitating the construction of a school designed to accommodate up to 1,000 students, with an anticipated opening in the 2027-28 school year.

The modular classroom at Meadows School constitutes more than $525,000 of the total funding. The roof replacement at Kirkcaldy Heights and the crawlspace remediation at Neelin account for approximately $143,000 and $167,000, respectively. About $18,600 has been allocated for the land purchase in southwest Brandon.

“A lot of these amounts cover early-stage expenses like design and tendering,” Gustafson noted, emphasizing that several projects remain in the planning stages. While the provincial commitment addresses some urgent needs, the overall infrastructure requirements for BSD remain extensive.

“We’re very appreciative of the number of projects funded by the province,” Gustafson remarked. “But we still have a significant number of roofs, boilers, and other systems like brickwork, wastewater pipes, and emergency lighting that need attention. Some projects will take multiple years to complete, and as our buildings age, new issues will continue to emerge.”

Gustafson also highlighted the ongoing challenges that BSD faces in maintaining aging facilities while preparing for future growth. “When we submit requests to the province, we send in our top priorities in each area,” he explained. “But it’s important to understand that our total capital requirements are substantial and will take years to address. Emergencies can also arise, which means plans have to adapt.”

This fall, BSD plans to reassess the condition of its major building systems, including boilers, HVAC units, roofing, and building envelopes. The results of these assessments will shape the division’s subsequent requests for provincial support.

“We want to make sure our priorities reflect the most urgent needs,” Gustafson concluded. “We anticipate there will be other issues that come up as our buildings age, but our focus remains on keeping facilities safe and functional.”