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“A state-of-the-art education centre that aims to encourage collaboration and connection between students.”

Edmonton Public Schools aims to open two brand new schools in the coming years and Arrow Engineering has the pleasure of working on both of them. One of those schools is  Thelma Chalifoux School. The school is dedicated to the memory of Thelma Chalifoux, a former senator and Métis activist who dedicated much of her life to learning and teaching the history and culture of the Métis people. Chalifoux also founded a consulting company for cross-cultural training, and in 1997, became the first Métis woman to be appointed to the Canadian Senate. She worked in the Senate until 2004, when she retired and continued to celebrate Métis culture throughout Alberta.

Thelma Chalifoux School is 88,500 square feet and will accommodate 900 students from grades 7 to 9. The school will be a state-of-the-art learning facility, featuring all the technology and conveniences needed for students to learn and thrive. Thelma Chalifoux School will be arranged into “learning communities”, which aim to foster collaboration between students and provide opportunities for teachers to work alongside them. This school will also feature an impressive performance art room, a modern teaching kitchen, and even an outdoor project patio. These spaces all aim to develop skills and enhance the students educational experience.

The team at Arrow Engineering is always eager to get involved in education projects, our organization understands the value of fostering the growth and education of future generations. The projects with Edmonton Public Schools allowed our team to collaborate with other stakeholders using the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) method. IPD ensures that everybody involved in the project works together from the start, establishing shared core values and project goals. The IPD team held Big Room meetings in order to establish and track project goals and to more effectively resolve general project items. Using IPD, tasks were performed by the most efficient team members, regardless of their traditional roles.

Thelma Chalifoux School is being designed using Building Information Modelling (BIM), which allows the IPD team to better focus on cost optimization opportunities while still ensuring that project goals and values are upheld. Our mechanical engineering team is working closely with the mechanical contractor to ensure the highest quality systems design for the school. Our energy modelling team is also working with the IPD group to meet energy code compliance and LEED® certification, as well as optimize costs.