Halifax & Ecole Carrefour Another Step Closer

New schools needed in the Halifax area are another step closer today.

In the first stage, interested companies were short-listed. Now in stage two, the short-listed companies are preparing detailed proposals to build 10 schools across the region.

Halifax school projects are split into two groups. In the first group, a regional team -- including government officials and a total of eight representatives from Conseil scolaire acadien provincial and the Halifax Regional School Board -- evaluated 14 submissions, and narrowed the list to four groups. The short-listed groups are: Access Technologies; Armoyan Group; Nova Learning; and SNC Lavalin.

These groups will submit detailed proposals for school construction to meet the needs of students attending: Ecole Carrefour; Millwood Elementary; Eastern Passage Junior High; Fall River High; and Portland Estates/Cole Harbour Elementary.

In the second group, a regional team -- including four Halifax Regional School Board representatives -- again evaluated 14 submissions, and short-listed: Access Technologies; Armoyan Group; Nova Learning; and SNC Lavalin.

These groups will submit proposals for: Hammonds Plains Junior High; St. Margaret's Bay/Boutilier's Point/Tantallon; Bedford/Hammonds Plains Elementary; Beechville/Lakeside/Timberlea Elementary; and Clayton Park West Elementary.

"We urgently need schools, and -- with a highly competitive field --we're on target to deliver good schools, within budget, as quickly as interested companies can build them," Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison said.

Work is already under way in this second stage. Proposal requirements include a detailed vision, budget, financing and leasing arrangements, and plans for community consultation and timely school construction.

"Each interested group knows we want to see urgently-needed schools open as quickly as possible," Mr. Harrison said. "We expect our partners to deliver."

Companies must submit detailed proposals by July 31. Once a partner is selected for each region, the partner will work closely with government, school boards and communities on schedules and other project details. In all cases, leases will be signed before construction begins.

In addition to the 31 new schools announced in December 1997, six additional schools are already being planned or under construction. As well, the Department of Education and Culture is working with school boards on renovation projects, including major renovations projects for Ecole Belleville, Ecole Petit-de-Grat, Ecole Pomquet, and Ecole Stella-Maris.