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Construction students build a replica Esso gas station for Weaver Heritage Park. (Image Credit: Lloydminster Public School Division/ Facebook)
Construction 30 project

LCHS students build a piece of Lloydminster history

Sep 16, 2026 | 1:06 PM

Students at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School took their construction skills beyond the classroom to help bring a piece of Lloydminster history back to life.

Last year’s Construction 30 class was tasked with building a replica of the old Esso gas station for Weaver Heritage Park. The finished structure was added to the park earlier this month.

“At Weaver Park, they’re really trying to keep the history of Lloydminster and trying to get it to come alive,” said construction teacher Mark Grillandini. “They had the original building, but it was falling apart from its age, so they really wanted to replace it but not lose the character of the original.”

Grillandini said the project fit well with the class curriculum while giving the Grade 12 students a chance to tackle something outside the usual projects.

Over seven weeks, the five students worked one hour a day, learning skills including framing, installing tin and windows, chimney masonry work and siding.

“It’s typical of what they do over their three years if they take the program. They do all those skills, but with the grade 12 group, I always try to do something a little different. That’s where some of those different products and materials they wanted to use in it were a different experience for the kids.”

The class typically builds simple garden sheds or takes on smaller community projects. Past builds have included an office building for the Lloydminster Rescue Squad and bleachers for the BMX club.

The Esso replica came with its own challenges, particularly the weather, but Grillandini said the students stuck with it.

“We had a small group of five students, and the weather was very challenging, but they persevered through it in the spring this year. For five kids to get what they got done in seven weeks was quite remarkable for one hour a day each.”

For Grillandini, the value of projects like this goes beyond the finished structure.

“All learners learn differently. So it just gives a chance for them to get some hands-on work after they’ve done some of the theory part of the course. Maybe that turns a kid into a career in the trades, which we definitely know that we are short on tradespeople,” he said.

Now, the students have a project they can point to in the park and say they helped build a piece of Lloydminster’s history.

Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com