Another parent voices safety concerns over high school’s ‘large-scale’ renovations

Another concerned parent has raised safety concerns about ongoing construction at West Elgin secondary school after her child was injured by slipping on a wet floor.

The West Elgin mother, who doesn’t want her name published due to fears of retribution from the school board, said her child slipped on a wet floor that had been mopped to clean up construction debris from an open ceiling in the West Lorne school that’s currently undergoing renovations.

The child stayed home for a week to recover from the injury, she said.

“I didn’t realize how bad (the construction) was,” the parent said, adding there was a caution sign warning of the wet floor in the area at the time of the fall. “I do understand this parent’s concerns with regards to the safety at the school.”

Parents of a Grade 9 student at the high school recently said their 14-year-old son has been staying home from school for weeks in part over what his parents believe are unsafe conditions at the school.

“It’s been a nightmare,” said Rick Russell, whose son is supposed to be attending the school on Graham Road in West Lorne. “We’re worried about wires or cement falling.”

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Wiring and pipes are exposed in the halls in West Elgin secondary school in this photo from the Rick and Katherine Russell family, whose son Alexander, has not been attending school over safety concerns. (Submitted photo)
Wiring and pipes are exposed in the halls in West Elgin secondary school in this photo from the Rick and Katherine Russell family, whose son Alexander, has not been attending school over safety concerns. (Submitted photo)
Wiring and pipes are exposed in the halls in West Elgin secondary school in this photo from the Rick and Katherine Russell family, whose son Alexander, has not been attending school over safety concerns. (Submitted photo)
Wiring and pipes are exposed in the halls in West Elgin secondary school in this photo from the Rick and Katherine Russell family, whose son Alexander, has not been attending school over safety concerns. (Submitted photo)
Wiring and pipes are exposed in the halls in West Elgin secondary school in this photo from the Rick and Katherine Russell family, whose son Alexander, has not been attending school over safety concerns. (Submitted photo)

Renovations at West Elgin secondary school have left the school without drywall on the ceilings, leaving exposed wires and pipes, lights dangling and wires hanging down.

West Elgin secondary school, located about 60 kilometres southwest of London, is home to both urban and rural students from West Elgin, Iona Station and Dutton Dunwich. Built in 1952, an addition was added in 1970, according to the school’s website.

Geoff Vogt is superintendent of facility services and capital planning for the Thames Valley District school board. He recently told trustees at a debate the “large-scale construction project” was ongoing.

“This is a disruptive project, there’s no doubt about,” he said. “It’s exciting and we do need to make investments at that school.”

The project is being completed in two phases and the first phase will be done by year’s end, he said. The second phase will see the school’s corridors receive “further improvements,” he said.

The second phase starts in 2025 and will upgrade electrical work and locker replacements, Vogt said, adding it’s slated to be done by August.

Vogt told trustees the building is “safe for occupancy,” adding: “Our team is in constant communication with the staff of the school.”

hrivers@postmedia.com

@HeatheratLFP

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