The president of the Sarnia and District Labour Council doesn't agree completion of the former St. Clair Secondary School redevelopment is being delayed because of a lack of skilled trades.
That's what Lambton Kent District School Board Director Jim Costello says he was told by Concord-based contractor Jasper Construction.
"We have a meeting with our general contractor the first week of school to get an update," says Costello. "There's been a concern that there's been a shortage of skilled trade, particularly in the area of block layers and steelworkers in order to get going with the infrastructure of the auditorium at the new site."
Labour Council President Jason McMichael disputes that.
"It's a reckless statement, because when other companies are looking to expand into our area, take the NOVA expansion, had these kinds of announcements been made a year ago it could cause some of these companies to take pause and wonder whether or not their projects would be completed in a timely fashion," says McMichael. "You and I know that they always will, because of the supply of skilled, safe workers we have in Sarnia-Lambton."
McMichael says every time Jasper has called for workers, to the best of his knowledge, the request has been filled.
It was hoped the new Great Lakes Secondary School would be ready for students this fall, but they'll have to start the school year at the former SCITS on Wellington St.
It's not yet known when they'll make the move to the new Murphy Rd. facility.