Westgate Mennonite Collegiate plans redevelopment
WINNIPEG, MB—Westgate Mennonite Collegiate is hoping to redevelop its facilities to include an additional 1,500 square feet, a front entrance glass atrium, an underground student fitness room, an elevator and more.
Westgate's board of directors approved the proposal in December and presented it to the school community and neighbours at the end of January.
School principal Bob Hummelt was happy with the attendance at the meeting, which drew parents of students, alumni and members of the various churches that support the school.
"There were a few residents from the gates who are supportive of the school's current proposal and we also had a small group of residents who are opposed to what we are trying to do here, and they communicated that as well," Hummelt says.
Some residents are concerned that any increase in square footage would lead to an increase in enrolment, which would result in more traffic in Armstrong Point.
Hummelt says the Grade 7 to Grade 12 school has no plans to increase its enrolment, which is currently 340.
He adds that the school's redevelopment committee worked very hard to make a plan that addressed the concerns of Armstrong Point residents.
"We're building a new structure in the old footprint…except for the two cantilevered floors and that's only a three-foot bump out to the river that no one sees," Hummelt says. "We're not taking any trees out, we're not covering any existing green space."
Westgate is currently in the process of submitting an application to the City of Winnipeg for the redevelopment.
The school last submitted a building proposal to the city in 2008. It did not meet civic approval.
If the plan goes through, Hummelt says the redevelopment will cost approximately $7 million.
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