Majority of Brandon School Division Buildings Over 50 Years Old

An updated facility report reveals that most buildings within the Brandon School Division (BSD) are beyond their middle age, raising concerns about infrastructure sustainability. During a recent board meeting, Superintendent Mathew Gustafson reported that approximately 75 percent of BSD’s buildings are over 50 years old, with the average age being 62 years.

BSD operates 24 original school buildings, not including Prairie Hope and Spring Valley Colony schools. These structures vary significantly in age, from a mere five years to nearly 120 years. The oldest facilities, such as École New Era (built in 1906), the administration building (constructed in 1927), and Earl Oxford (established in 1928), are now over 90 years old. The mid-century schools, including George Fitton (1954), Neelin (1956), St. Augustine (1957), and J.R. Reid (1959), represent a significant portion of the aging infrastructure.

Only a few facilities are relatively new, including Maryland Park, which opened in 2021, and others like Kirkcaldy Heights (1988) and Waverly Park (1991). In addition to the original buildings, BSD manages 30 various additions across its schools, such as classroom wings and gymnasiums. These additions range from nine to 70 years old, with an average age of 42 years.

The report noted that more than a third, specifically 37 percent, of these additions are at least 50 years old. Notably, the report did not account for the new Maryland Park School addition or the Meadows School modular, as neither was occupied when the data was compiled. The division maintains 13 modular units, all still in use and ranging from three to 14 years old. Gustafson confirmed that none of these modulars have been replaced since their installation.

The board meeting included a discussion on the division’s maintenance strategies. Gustafson outlined a three-pronged approach focusing on corrective, preventive, and predictive maintenance. He acknowledged that BSD heavily relies on corrective maintenance to address unexpected issues, such as plumbing leaks and mandated safety updates.

“Two years ago, we aimed to shift towards more preventive and predictive strategies,” Gustafson stated. “However, I must report that BSD remains primarily dependent on corrective maintenance.” Financial constraints compound this issue, as costs for corrective maintenance continue to climb faster than the available budget. This trend leaves fewer resources for preventive measures that could prolong the life of the buildings and reduce long-term costs.

Gustafson emphasized the financial implications of running equipment until failure. “It can be up to 10 times more expensive than a regular maintenance program,” he noted, citing industry studies. Meanwhile, predictive maintenance can save between 8 to 12 percent over preventive strategies and as much as 40 percent compared to reactive fixes, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Despite these challenges, Gustafson assured trustees that the division is committed to gradually transitioning towards more preventive and predictive maintenance strategies whenever feasible, aiming to better manage its aging infrastructure.