In September, students at two Chatham-Kent schools can expect to see some changes in their classrooms.
Renovations and upgrades are scheduled this summer for A.A. Wright Public School in Wallaceburg and McNaughton Avenue Public School in Chatham.
According to Brian McKay, superintendent of business with The Lambton Kent District School Board, the projects are considered large in scope.
"The one at McNaughton is over $2 million and the one at A.A. Wright is almost $1.7 million," he explained. "We do the capital work within a two month period in July and August. These are more or less the maximum we can go for... to ensure that we can get the project done in the two-month summer break."
McKay said the A.A. Wright building will be getting several mechanical and electrical upgrades including a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit in the school's gym. McNaughton Avenue will be seeing roof work, as well as what McKay calls "major site work" and paving.
Both schools will also be undergoing renovations inside several classrooms. According to McKay, when students come back to school in September, it will be like they are entering a brand space.
"We basically call it a classroom refresh. We go into classrooms and look at the lighting to make sure it's a bright, warm, welcoming environment. We do flooring, ceiling replacement, we also look at the technology in the classroom to make sure that's refreshed and upgraded," he said.
Funds for the project were provided by the Ministry of Education's School Condition Improvement Fund.
"This is specific capital funding that the ministry provides to school boards across the province to do work [at schools]," said McKay.
