Province issues $854K note to BSD for key projects

The Brandon School Division has received a provincial promissory note valued at $854,100 to support a series of projects at four different sites, Supt. Mathew Gustafson told the Sun.

The development, he said, is expected to mark a step forward in the ongoing effort to maintain and upgrade school facilities across the city.

The funding will be directed toward partial costs of four key initiatives — 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 purchase of land in southwest Brandon for a future K–8 school.

The mechanism is structured as a promissory note, meaning the province will reimburse the division in stages as the projects advance, Gustafson added.

“This authorization allows us to proceed, with the province reimbursing us at different stages,” he said. “Some of the 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.”

The Sun reported last year that divisions across Manitoba face what was described as “dire infrastructure needs,” with an estimated collective price tag in the hundreds of millions. BSD has some of the province’s oldest schools, many of which are in urgent need of repairs to roofs, boilers and HVAC systems.

The new K–8 school planned for southwest Brandon also fits into the broader picture of growth and capacity pressures. Rezoning for the site was approved this summer, paving the way for construction of a school designed to accommodate up to 1,000 students, with an anticipated opening in the 2027–28 school year.

Gustafson said the modular classroom at Meadows School accounts for more than $525,000 of the note. The Kirkcaldy Heights roof project and Neelin crawlspace remediation account for approximately $143,000 and $167,000, respectively, while about $18,600 has been designated for the southwest Brandon land purchase.

“A lot of these amounts cover early-stage expenses like design and tendering,” he said, noting that several of the projects are still in their planning phases.

While the provincial commitment addresses pressing needs, Gustafson emphasized that the division’s overall infrastructure requirements remain extensive.

“We’re very appreciative of the number of projects funded by the province,” he said. “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 highlighted the reality that BSD, like many other school divisions in Manitoba, faces ongoing challenges in maintaining aging buildings while also preparing for growth. “When we submit requests to the province, we send in our top priorities in each area,” he said. “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.”

BSD plans to reassess the condition of its major building systems this fall, including boilers, HVAC units, roofing and building envelopes. The results will shape the division’s next round of requests to the province.

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

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