Derek Blais Steps into Role as New Facilities Superintendent

Derek Blais has officially taken on his responsibilities as the new Superintendent of Facilities for the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division, a role he began on September 15, 2023. Blais succeeds Mike Hurd, who recently retired after years of dedicated service in the position. With over 11 years of senior-level experience in municipal administration and public infrastructure management, Blais aims to enhance the facilities within the division.

Originally from Debden, Blais has a deep connection to the region, as both he and his wife hail from the area. His professional journey includes a tenure as a recreation manager with the City of Prince Albert from 2014 to 2019. Following that, he worked in Moose Jaw where he progressed from director of parks and recreation to overseeing community services, planning, and development.

Experience and Vision for Facilities Management

Blais has been involved in facilities management since 2014, focusing on maintaining recreation facilities. He stated, “I’m fairly comfortable with the responsibilities, but the learning curve for school facilities is significant.” He noted that while there are distinct needs between public recreation venues and schools, they share similarities in construction and maintenance approaches, such as HVAC systems and roofing.

In his initial days, Blais toured several rural schools within the division and expressed admiration for the quality of maintenance and caretaking practices he observed. “It’s clear that there’s a great team in place here. Mike has done amazing work on capital planning and the implementation of software for service requests,” Blais remarked. He emphasized that the facilities management team is ahead of the curve compared to other sectors.

Upon exploring the opportunity to return to Prince Albert, Blais reviewed old board reports available on the Saskatchewan Rivers website. He was impressed with the systems already established, stating, “They’ve done a great job, and it’s reflected in the condition of the facilities.” The division includes schools in the City of Prince Albert and extends to surrounding communities such as St. Louis, Shelbrook, and Kinistino, which presents a broad scope of responsibilities.

Strategic Learning and Future Goals

Blais is taking a measured approach as he transitions into his new role. “I’m not coming in with big ideas for immediate changes,” he explained. His focus is on understanding the current operational landscape, including facility conditions and maintenance priorities. He believes it takes about a year to fully acclimate to a new job, allowing him to experience all four seasons and grasp the nuances of the role.

He has found value in the accountability reports produced by Hurd, using them to familiarize himself with departmental operations and priorities. Blais noted the significant difference in the number of facilities he now oversees, with 32 schools compared to 10 major facilities in Moose Jaw. This adjustment is part of the challenge he is eager to embrace.

Looking ahead, Blais is enthusiastic about the opportunity to build upon the foundation laid by Hurd and his team. “I appreciate this opportunity and am excited to get my feet wet,” he stated. His commitment to continuing the positive trajectory of facilities management within the Saskatchewan Rivers School Division is evident as he prepares to navigate the complexities of his new role.