$13 Million Renovation for Sir John A.

The wait is over for students and staff at Sir John A. Macdonald High School. Education Minister Jane Purves today announced a $13-million renovation and upgrade project for the Hubley school. The project will see students back in class on a normal schedule at the school at the end of the first semester in January 2003.

"We've taken a careful look at all of the options, and this is clearly the best one," said Ms. Purves. "These substantial upgrades and renovations will see Sir John A. match the standards of a new school and will get students and staff back into safe, up-to-date classrooms much more quickly than any other approach."

The multi-phased renovation and expansion project was approved June 13 by the province, and will remedy health, safety and building-code issues and will provide program enhancements to modernize the school.

"I am pleased the minister and the government have recognized the vital need for a new and improved Sir John A. Macdonald High School," said Michael Flemming, chair of the Halifax Regional School Board and the board member for the Sir John A. Macdonald area. "Not only will this decision address the health and safety concerns of the students, staff and parents, it will also provide significant upgrades to the current building. It's a win-win for our area."

The first part of project will be completed in time for students to return in January 2003. In addition to addressing the health and safety issues, the multi-phased project includes a new gymnasium, cafetorium, a new classroom wing and larger classrooms. Expansions and upgrades will be done in consultation with the school community. It is expected that the entire project will be completed over the next three years.

During the environmental site assessment, tests showed levels of lead-210 in excess of Health Canada drinking water guidelines. A subsequent test found lead-210 well below guidelines. Officials say this is encouraging but further testing will continue. A treatment system will be installed for the drinking water to meet national guidelines.

News of the project was well received by the Sir John A. community.

"The approval of this project is extremely important to our community," said Sarah Nightingale, chair of the Sir John A. School Advisory Council. "We now know that a renovated and modern school will soon be a reality."

"We are very pleased with this announcement," said Kevin Burke, chair of the Parents Action Committee for Sir John A. "The concerns of Sir John A. will now be addressed and we will have a good school in our community in a reasonable period of time."

Sir John A. was built in 1967 and accommodates about 1,100 high school students.

The school was closed in February because of air-quality concerns. Since that time, students have been attending Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford in split shifts.

The Department of Education received a consultant's report in May that identified options to clean the site and renovate and upgrade the building.