Six Strategies to Get Your K-12 Projects Shovel Ready

The Ontario government has committed $1.3 billion to building and expanding schools across the province. This funding will support the construction and expansion of 60 schools, creating 27,093 new student spaces and 1,759 child-care spots. This investment is part of Ontario’s commitment to provide nearly $16 billion to support school construction, repair and renewal over the next 10 years.

For the first time, Ontario will ensure school boards can build schools in nearly half the time it previously took, thanks to a faster, more transparent and accountable process that prioritizes shovel-ready projects. 

Are you willing to do what it takes to fast-track your K-12 projects to ensure they’re shovel ready? If you said yes, here are six strategies your school board can implement to optimize the success of your project.

1. Build Strategic Alliances with Jurisdictional Authorities 

School boards need to prioritize partnerships with municipalities, ministries (outside of the Ministry of Education) or other jurisdictional authorities early in the early stages of project planning. Building strategic partnerships and developing a plan to manage approvals early in the project can help you maneuver through the approval process. By advancing jurisdictional approvals, you’re positioning yourself to get your projects approved and into construction sooner.

2. Establish a Vendors of Record (VOR)

Having consultants and contractors on hand or shortlisted prior to the start of a project eliminates the need for prequalification of vendors, saving you time and enabling you to proceed with the project once it’s approved. 

3. Develop a Specific Communications Strategy

Getting your project shovel-ready will require an open and strategic communications strategy with the Ministry of Education. School boards need to play an active role in communications to ensure the ministry and other project funders are aware of potential challenges including those related to budget, approvals and project constraints. Consistent communication and progress updates help to inform the ministry, providing them with time to ask questions before you submit your formal application and significantly reducing the length of the approvals process.

4. Be the Developer

School boards typically implement K-12 school projects when a neighborhood is established or land and supporting infrastructure are readily available. Developing an established neighborhood can take years, limiting your ability to deliver a new school. Recently, we’re beginning to see school boards become the developer – taking on neighborhood studies, building roads and bringing utilities and other key infrastructure to the site. The Ministry of Education is supportive of school boards taking a proactive approach and hiring a project advisor or project manager can help you navigate the development process, enabling you to prioritize your K-12 project.

5. Develop a Prototypical Design 

Developing a prototype or using an existing prototype can significantly impact the efficiency and time required to design your facility. Using a prototype can expedite your design schedule, supporting your ability to accelerate the project and getting it shovel-ready sooner.

6. Identify Self-Funding Strategies

Using funds from educational development charges or proceeds of disposition enables school boards to assist the Ministry of Education with project costs that aren’t covered by standard project funding – such as external works for roads or supporting infrastructure. Identifying self-funding strategies demonstrates your willingness to accelerate the project and collaborate with the Ministry of Education to achieve your project goals.

Not sure if you have the capacity to fast-track your project internally? Reach out to our education experts to learn more about how Colliers Project Leaders can support your K-12 project and help you contribute to the growth of Ontario’s dynamic educational landscape.