They've had water problems for several years and it's finally getting fixed.
The library at Humboldt Public School (HPS) has changed locations temporarily, but it's still open.
According to Dave Hill, HPS principal, the library roof has leaked on and off for five or six years, but the heavy rains this spring caused significant damage to the room and to some of the books.
The walls and ceiling in the library had been repaired and patched several times, but this time major renovation and repair work is being carried out. A new roof, with a special rubber membrane was installed on the outside, while everything was stripped out of the interior.
The Ministry of Education paid for the roof replacement, Hill noted.
The room, which was once a gymnasium, had water stains on the drywall, the cinder block walls, and on the ceiling tiles.
The drywall has been replaced, the damaged ceiling tiles will be replaced, some new wiring and lights were installed, and windows are being repaired.
The library has been moved to the gym while the repairs are taking place, Hill explained.
"It takes up one-third of the gym, but that still allows us enough space to run physical education classes for the younger grades and for us to hold assemblies," he said.
Physical education classes were held outside until the weather got cold. After that, the younger children had phys ed in the gym, while older students have been exploring other fitness and recreational activities in the city, Hill said.
"They've gone bowling and swimming," he explained.
The students are also getting time at the gym at St. Augustine School down the road.
"They've been very good about letting us share their facility," Hill said.
The Horizon School Division (HSD) has been picking up the cost of transporting the students to the other facilities when they can't walk, Hill noted. They've also covered the cost of replacing books that were damaged.
Choosing to move the library into the gym was a difficult decision, Hill admitted.
"This was the only way we could come up with that we could still provide both programs," he said. "On occasion, we have a class in the gym and a class in the library at the same time, but they are usually scheduled separately."
Overall, the move has worked out pretty well, with the kids accepting the changes and the restrictions.
"They want both back, but they understand why they have to wait," Hill said.
The change rooms, located between the library and the gym, are also seeing some renovations and repairs as they had suffered water damage as well.
