Lots of strange assumptions here. Where is the evidence that spending more money on a teardown and rebuild will produce a better result? Why talk about a building "falling apart" when what's at stake is a complete renovation?
The jury is still out between renovation vs rebuild for long-term savings in the construction industry, I'll grant. What is self-evident however, is that a new build using modern construction methods will serve the needs of the community and the school children very well, whereas renovating the existing structure still leads to a host of issues that are inherent to the structure. To name two such issues, the classroom sizes are inadequate for the local population, and the layout of the built structure in relation to the surrounding streets and neighbourhood is not befitting for enhancing the urban realm.
From your article:
"And the cost has risen sharply. In 2016, the board had planned a capital expenditure of $14.5-million; a construction contract was awarded in September for $24,994,000, including a $5.3-million underground parking garage. That means the cost of the school alone is around $20-million, 35 per cent above the budget, plus another $1.27-million for demolition of the old building. The total, before any unexpected costs: Roughly $21-million. Giaimo and Andrew Pruss of ERA, estimate the old building could have been largely kept, and expanded, to accommodate all the same needs, for $18-million."
We are penny-pinching over $3,000,000 dollars. Considering the amount of wasteful spending that goes on in this city, including the $3,800,000,000 dollar Scarborough Subway, I think I can live with my tax dollars going to ensure that this crucially important school is rebuilt properly to serve the needs of the local community well into the future.
(That $18,000,000 cost estimation of renovating the school is also before any unexpected cost escalations, which I'll hedge my bets and say are more likely to occur in an old, large, heritage structure that has fallen into disrepair over the years, than in a new build).
Don't get me wrong though, I appreciate your article giving the alternative POV of complete renovation some limelight. These kinds of discussions are integral for developing civic discourse over local issues. I just lean towards the TDSB's side here because I am unconvinced that a renovation would serve the local community and the schoolchildren better than the rebuild.
