The borough is preparing for major work starting this summer to replace roofs on school buildings and the community pool.

Capital Projects Director Amber Al-Haddad said the projects are moving from design toward construction. To maximize public funds and contractor efficiency, the borough plans to combine the replacement of the sloped and flat roof sections on the pool building with the larger school renovation project.

Although the final construction cost estimate for the pool roof is not complete, the borough assembly has already appropriated $1 million in federal dollars from the Secure Rural Schools Fund for the work.

Al-Haddad noted that the borough has spent $22,427 on the design phase with LCG Lantech, the same architectural firm handling the school renovations.

“Our 95% design level third-party cost estimate is expected to be complete in a couple of weeks before we advance the project to construction bidding,” Al-Haddad said.

The school roof improvements are supported by a diverse mix of funding sources, including a $6.5 million grant from the Alaska Department of Education and $3.5 million from voter-approved bonds.

Additionally, a $649,330 Community Development Block Grant of federal funds is specifically designated for the middle school roof.

Based on a 2023 condition assessment, Al-Haddad listed possible costs for the various school sections, including $1,790,494 for the Evergreen Elementary School flat roof, $1,311,753 for the Stikine Middle School flat roof, and $428,720 for the high school flat roof.

The roof at Evergreen Elementary is a high priority, as it was last replaced in 1998 and has outlived its 20-year expected lifespan.

“The plan for Evergreen has always been a full replacement,” Al-Haddad said, noting that recent reports indicate new leaks have formed and there is speculation that heavy snow in December may have caused additional damage to the structure.

The pool roof presents its own set of challenges due to its mixed design. Al-Haddad explained that the sloped areas “are a completely different beast than the flat roof.”

Heavy staining in the decking was found near the high school, which suggests water may be entering from the wall where the two buildings meet. “There are different intricacies with all of the roofs,” she added.

Construction could begin by late June or early July, though Al-Haddad cautioned that the work might extend into a second year because the timeline is dictated by the mandatory bidding process required for public projects.

“It’s a process, getting things done because there are so many things we have to do to prepare. It’s not like in the private sector where you can just start work when you want,” Al-Haddad said.