CAC Board of Trustees

 

 

The Board of Trustees has updated the Master Plan Fact Sheet (FAQ) – January 2008. 

Frequently Asked Questions –
CAC Master Plan – January, 2008

Why?

  • CAC is an aging campus, which has been constructed, modified and refurbished on an ongoing basis for the last 40 years. Buildings have exceeded the design life and are in need of significant repair or rebuilding to serve the school for the next generations of students.
  • The primary purpose of the project is to support and enhance program:

    - Consolidate the Elementary Program.
    - Create a Middle School learning environment aligned with the MS philosophy.
    - Develop a more effective, efficient High School building.
    - Provide additional venues for school and community gatherings.
  • In doing this, we will create a world-class school campus providing a world-class education for students in Maadi for the next 40 years.

How did we arrive at this decision?

  • In 2002, the one-time only capital fee was increased to $4,500 in anticipation of either a CAC move or a full campus renovation.
  • In 2003-04, a consultant worked with the administration and faculty to design a new elementary school. The Board agreed that the decision to either build a new campus or renovate the Maadi campus must be made before building a new ES.
  • After a full year of review, which included a feasibility study by an outside consultant, as well as community input from parent, student, and faculty surveys and “town meetings,” the Board voted in May, 2005 to stay on the Maadi campus and upgrade it to world-class standards.
  • In 2006, the Board hired a fulltime Project Manager with extensive experience in international school re-construction to provide construction planning and supervision expertise to the administrative team.
  • A U.S.-based architectural firm was employed to develop a campus-wide Master Plan, which was unanimously accepted by the Board in November of 2006.
  • The last 14 months have allowed the completion of a detailed design and project implementation plan for Phase I of the project.  The design of Phase II is expected to begin before commencing the construction of Phase I in May.

What is the Master Plan timeline?

  • An Elementary School is scheduled for groundbreaking during summer 2008, and completion by December 2009.
  • Phase II, the construction of a MS/HS Library, the Middle School and the relocation of the track will begin in 2010 and be completed in 2011. 
  • Completion of a new track is scheduled for 2012.
  • Full Master Plan completion is scheduled for SY 2019/20.

What is the impact of construction on the instructional program?

  • CAC’s instructional program will proceed with the staffing and resources required to fulfill the CAC mission and achieve program goals.
  • The PE program will substitute a related instructional activity for tennis.
  • The shortened transitional track will still meet the needs of the PE program.
  • On-campus traffic will be re-routed to avoid the construction site.
  • For additional information on Program impact and mitigation plans, please see MS Educational Continuity.

What is the impact of construction on the co-curricular program?

  • CAC will rent an off-site venue for the tennis team to practice and play.
  • CAC will rent an off-site venue to conduct the annual Screaming Eagles Track and Field Invitational.
  • CAC-sponsored activities other than the Invitational can still take place on campus.
  • There will be no additional fee for participation in the athletic program.
  • Once the track realignment is complete, the amount of green space on campus will be maintained or increased.

Why have the costs increased from the last time you spoke to us?

  • The construction industry in Egypt is going through a very significant period of high demand and cost inflation for services and raw materials.  Consequently, the original 2006 master plan cost estimate has increased significantly from $33m to a current estimated cost – supported by Phase I detail design and tender – of $48m.
  • Of this, Phase I is estimated at $17m supported in the majority by tendered lump sum fixed price contracts. Further delay in the implementation of the Master Plan would nullify the Phase I tendered costs, and force a return to the market for a re-bid, with the expectation that prices will increase again. 

How will the project now be financed?

  • Consistent with other international schools, the Master Plan will be financed through:

    - Existing savings
    - Future Registration Fees collected through the life of the project
    - Gifts
    - Loan (Debt: Equity ratio at a very conservative 1.25)
  • The project financial model includes conservatively based adjustments for inflation, construction contingency, and cost of capital, as well as a maximum loan exposure that has been validated as very robust by a US government backed international lending agency.
  • A Development committee has been formed to identify and cultivate a gift program which has already resulted in significant community donations.

What is our contingency plan in the event of unforeseen cost increases during construction?

  • Phase I budget is supported by a lump sum (fixed price) construction contract minimizing the risk of cost inflation and overrun.
  • The implementation of the full Master Plan allows a possible break after the construction of the Phase I (elementary school + admin building) and Phase II (middle school and library) and the new track. In the event of unacceptable stress on the project financial model, future phases (high school, arts and gym) could be delayed to ensure financial stability.

What safety provisions are being made?

  • The school has completed a series of construction projects and major refurbishments over the past years on the campus, and has been successful in effectively maintaining control of safe simultaneous construction and curricular activity on the campus.
  • A security wall will be constructed to prevent access to the construction area from the campus.
  • A designated separate gate will be used for construction workers and supplies.
  • An environmentally safe approach will be taken when demolishing buildings.
  • The construction firm is required to designate a safety officer who will be responsible for ensuring that the project follows industry standard safety procedures and CAC requirements.  In addition the safety officer will work closely with school personnel in addressing any concerns or issues.
  • Asbestos was removed from the CAC campus in 1996. To reconfirm that no asbestos remains on campus, a review is in process.

What is the impact on community use of CAC facilities?

  • CAC ID holders will still use the school facilities.
  • Non-CAC-sponsored activities involving large crowds will have to find alternative sites during construction.
  • Most community youth activities will still take place on campus. Some off-site accommodations will be necessary to restore/conserve the fields for the instructional program.

What is the impact on the neighborhood?

  • As with past building projects, CAC will monitor contractors’ hours to reduce late night and early morning noise as much as possible.
  • CAC will ensure that traffic flow will not be impeded during peak school drop-off/pick-up times.