Saskatchewan Rivers School Division Welcomes New Facilities Leader

The Saskatchewan Rivers School Division has appointed Derek Blais as the new Superintendent of Facilities, effective September 15, 2023. Blais takes over from Mike Hurd, who retired after a long tenure in the role. With over 11 years of experience in municipal administration and public infrastructure management, Blais is well-equipped to lead the division’s facilities management.

Blais, originally from Debden, Saskatchewan, previously worked as a recreation manager for the City of Prince Albert from 2014 to 2019. His career also includes a position with Hockey Canada in Calgary, managing Men’s national teams. Most recently, he served as the Director of Parks and Recreation in Moose Jaw, where he oversaw a range of civic facilities.

Experience and Vision for Facilities Management

In his new role, Blais aims to leverage his extensive background in facilities management to improve the school division’s infrastructure. He noted that while there are differences between public recreation venues and schools, many core aspects, such as HVAC systems and maintenance management, remain similar. “There’s definitely some different needs between a public recreation venue and a school,” Blais explained, acknowledging the learning curve he faces in adapting to the specific requirements of educational facilities.

Following a recent tour of rural schools within the division, Blais expressed admiration for the existing maintenance quality and caretaking. He praised the work accomplished by Hurd, particularly in capital planning and the implementation of modern systems for streamlining service requests. “They are definitely ahead of the class in facilities management,” he said, emphasizing his intent to build upon the solid foundation left by his predecessor.

Understanding the Scope of Responsibilities

The Saskatchewan Rivers School Division encompasses a broad area, with schools in Prince Albert and surrounding communities, including St. Louis, Shellbrook, and Kinistino. Blais remarked on the challenge of managing a total of 32 schools alongside accessory facilities, such as the Education Centre and Transportation Depot, which exceeds the ten major facilities he managed in Moose Jaw.

Despite the scale of his new responsibilities, Blais is focused on taking a measured approach. “The big thing for me is just to learn right now and to understand how things work,” he said. He plans to assess the condition of facilities, identify priorities for renewal projects, and understand maintenance needs before implementing significant changes.

Blais intends to familiarize himself with operations through accountability reports previously compiled by Hurd. He believes that understanding the full cycle of the school calendar, including seasonal impacts, is essential to adapting effectively in his new position.

In his closing remarks, Blais conveyed enthusiasm for the opportunity to return to Prince Albert and continue the positive trajectory established by Hurd and the facilities team. “I’m just appreciative of the opportunity and excited to really get my feet wet,” he stated, looking forward to contributing to the advancement of the division’s facilities management.