Greater Highlands Area Working Committee
Westmount School Library
11125 131 St.
9:30-2:30
Meeting Summary – November 25, 2014
Welcome and Opening Comments· Goal of session is to reach a point where we can provide a list of considerations to our Architect to begin design plans that will shape the options presented for public feedback in February
Data Activity Summary
· Who would the school be for – community children or those seeking Arts Core/specialized programming – District of Choice?
· Mixed demographic/social population important
· Student numbers matter more than amalgamation – 692 (total enrolment) vs. 490 (attendance area)
· Why Virginia Park? – motivation for choice? Building/hallways/people important. Parents considering a survey
· Junior high choices – programming can drive
· Future population growth? Need to consider.
Sharing of Student and Staff Feedback
· Principals were asked to do some consultation with students and staff around the following questions/statements: What do you love about your school? What would you change about your school? Describe the perfect school.
· Highlights from this process were shared by the principals. Included were the things that students and staff would like to see considered in a new consolidated building or modernization.
Student Considerations:
· Programming – Arts Core
· Large gym - more opportunities for sports teams (ability to host)
· Specialized learning spaces: performance space, dance studio, art studio, music room
· Cafeteria – space to gather at lunch
· Library
· Garden/greenhouse
· Playground/outdoor space
· Fitness Centre
· Foods and Construction
Staff Considerations: (those different from students)
· Bathrooms in Kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms
· Breakout/Office/Conference/Testing spaces
· Smaller footprint (2 storey – preserve greenspace)
· Green (environmentally friendly design and function)
· Natural light
· Open concept bathrooms (better supervision)
· Central office (near main entrance)
· Support space for students with special needs – inclusive (instead of district centre model)
· Easy access to water (sinks) – in every classroom if possible
Break – Tour of Westmount
Tours Activity and Discussion
· Table groups were asked to discuss the 5 schools visited so far and identify the pros (likes) and cons (dislikes) for each building
Highlands Junior High School (Oct. 27)
Pros:
· Historical relevance in neighbourhood and city – community landmark
· Close proximity to Community League and E.P.L
· Tradition
· Large, open, classroom spaces
· Large corridors for moving students
· With new technology, little need for a lot of plugs/electrical for a computer lab
· Central location for all the neighbourhoods being considered for consolidation
· A lot of natural light, high ceilings
· Craftsmanship – details inherent in a new building
· Designated crosswalk (118 Ave)
· Emotional connection to building
· Beautiful building (1914 part)
· Good storage space
· Potential for development
· Architecturally sound
· Newer windows / Cons:
· The amount of upgrades needed
· Heating and cooling an issue
· Accessibility is very poor/non-existent
· Wireless access difficult in older schools
· Library space is not inspiring
· No accessibility on basement level (mechanical area separates the two sides)
· Old infrastructure – boilers
· Office space not practical
· Small gym
· Large footprint
· Ugly annex (1954 wing)
Major General Griesbach School (Nov. 12)
Pros:
· Open concept foods classroom/multi-purpose space
· Large gymnasium
· Well-designed washrooms – open concept
· Washroom in Kindergarten rooms
· Different wing for Division III
· Storage rooms
· Open and inviting entry
· Traffic accessibility (drop-off)
· Flexible room spaces (walls that move)
· Office visibility / Cons:
· No stage in gym
· Foods room – open concept could be distracting
· Open space at entry is no useful as instructional space
· Gym – large, plus could be very noisy if 2 classes are present
· Small classrooms
· Difference in quality moving from core building to modular – issues with heating
· Washrooms are centralized
· Lacks warm feel – history and culture
John A. McDougall School (Nov. 12)
Pros:
· Beautiful, historic building
· Similar to Highlands
· Basement development beautiful
· Elevator
·
· Blend of old and new – i.e. classroom with reading nook in basement
· Mimic old design in new architecture
· Bathrooms – well designed, good sightlines, on every floor (including observatory)
· Observatory –sky science lab
· Well-designed office that incorporated the building’s historical character
· Rooms to meet with intervention specialists
· We loved it!! Build it for us!! / Cons:
· No performance space
· Gymnasium in poor condition
· Library could be used for a performance space except it has a pond
· Poor lighting choices – main hallways
Mount Royal School (Nov. 12)
Pros:
· Stage in gymnasium is a great performance space
· Clean, updated space
· Murals
· Accessible from the rear of the school
· Terrazzo tile is beautiful
· Sinks in every classroom
· Nice light in classrooms
· Great playground
· Music room / Cons:
· Not enough space
· Accessibility – difficult to move kids into building (parking lot in an odd spot)
· Boiler (but works very well)
· Kitchen is the size of a closet
· Poor office – sight lines a problem
· Poor use of space – boot room areas
· Parking lot, drop-off unsafe
Westmount Junior High School (Nov. 25)
Pros:
· Beautiful historical building
· (see Highlands and McDougall comments – similar)
· Practical, functional office space and staff area / Cons:
· 1970 addition
· Parts of the school feel empty
· Bathrooms – boys and girls together
Break – Lunch
Considerations for the Architect
· Options presented in the Spring of 2014 were reviewed
· Will ask architect to prepare plans for:
1. A new school building on the Mount Royal School site – includes the demolition of the old school building once new is complete
2. A modernization and right-fit of Highlands School – includes the modernization of the 1954 addition and a new gymnasium
3. A modernization and right-fit of Highlands School – includes the demolition of the 1954 addition and new construction to replace it
· Considerations discussed will be prepared in a separate document to be reviewed by the committee prior to receipt by the architect
Closing Comments and Next Steps
· As goal of the committee session was met (creating a list of considerations) the decision was made to cancel the tentative meeting set for December 10, 2014
Next Meeting: Monday January 26, 2015 @ Virginia Park (tentative – dependent on the progress of the architect)
Review of preliminary architectural drawings