Tilt-Up for Education: A Case Study of the Grace Christian School in Millgrove, ON.

A year-and-a-half after breaking ground, Grace Christian School in Millgrove Ontario opened its doors this September – right in time for the new school year.

The brand-new school is the result of an amalgamation between Burlington’s John Calvin Christian School and Flamborough’s Covenant Christian School, which was demolished to make way for the new facility.

Tilt-Up Construction as The Most Cost-effective Building Method

As a private school funded by donations, the Grace Christian School board of directors considered many options before selecting tilt-up construction as the most cost-effective building method.

“When it comes to schools, tilt-up offers a saving of approximately 15 percent over traditional construction methods, “explains Tiltwall Ontario’s Len Overbeek. Those initial savings continue long term, as tilt-up’s exceptional energy-efficiency will reduce the school’s energy consumption by around 30 percent each year, he adds.

The school’s volunteer construction management team worked with Tiltwall Ontario to further reduce construction costs, an approach made possible thanks to the simplicity of the tilt-up building method, says Overbeek.

The school’s Facebook page allowed parents and students to share in the excitement as the new facility took shape, sharing progress from the groundbreaking in April 2016 to the completion this summer.

A Compelling Aesthetic With Tilt-Up Panels

Thin brick was used on part of the exterior to give Grace Christian a traditional feel, while stained concrete was used on other areas to create a contemporary contrast.

Inside, the 25,000-square foot building features a bright interior with wide hallways, ten modern classrooms, a gymnasium, and a special education room. The school welcomed around 190 students this fall, but can comfortably accommodate up to 250 students from junior kindergarten to Grade 8.

The quality and durability of concrete and tilt-up construction should ensure that Grace Christian School is able to welcome generations of students to come.

To learn more about Grace Christian School, view our project page for information about the project’s technical details and construction specifications, or check out our photo gallery of the construction process.