Architect pegs landmark Moncton High School renovation at $48M

There is a battle brewing in Moncton over whether to renovate the 73-year-old Moncton High School at a cost of $48 million or build a new school for almost half the price.

The cornerstone of the high school was laid in 1934 and since then, it's been showing off a style not found in any modern schools, including three storeys of sandstone, arched bays and massive wood entrance doors.

But this beauty has a beast side, too. An architect's report said renovating the existing school that is known for its gothic exterior would cost about $48 million compared to the $25 million it would cost to replace the school with a new one.

Boyd Algee, the architect who wrote the report, said roofing, flooring and walls have to be replaced and upgrades have to be made to the attic and exterior stonewalls. As well, Algee said the plaster walls containing asbestos have to be removed from the school that first opened to students in 1935.

Some of the rooms in the school are currently closed because they don't meet modern fire codes.

"Basically, the report is referring to the rebuilding of Moncton High School — that's basically what we're doing," Algee said.

Karen Branscombe, the superintendent of School District 2, said now a decision has to be made.

"This report is very thorough and some decisions have to be made as to where we go forward as a district," Branscombe said.

The District Education Council just received the report and will be reviewing the document before making a recommendation to the Department of Education. The recommendation might be simply to see a plan for a new school so the two proposals can be compared.

Trent Munn, the principal of Moncton High School, is picking sides in the potentially contentious debate.

"I love this grand old building, as most do. In an ideal world I'd love to see them renovate it," he said.

The Department of Education will make the final decision. New schools are expected to have a life of 30 years and Moncton High School has already outlasted them by about 44 years.