Contract to build school on Black Hawk Elementary site to be awarded soon in Canada

Spanning 79,271 square feet, the one story school would be constructed on 10.63 acres consisting of the existing Black Hawk land at 1700 Downing Ave., a portion of the adjacent park and property along Sager Avenue. The school's main entry will face Sheldon Street and the design of the school would be very similar to the new Kittrell Elementary School, which opened last fall. Officials from the Waterloo Community Schools opened the contractors' bids in the previous week. The project is anticipated to cost CAD15.72 million ($15 million), including construction, demolition of the existing school, furniture and equipment purchases, and architectural and contingency fees. However, this cost does not include the expenses on home acquisition and demolition, estimated at CAD1 million ($944,020). Besides, there are extra costs such as asbestos abatement of Black Hawk and the houses, purchase of electronic white boards and other classroom technology and fees for building review and state approvals. Construction is expected to begin before the old school is torn down. Black Hawk will be razed this summer after asbestos is abated.