Pictou High School Projects Under Way

Premier John Hamm joined teachers, parents and community leaders to celebrate the start of construction of two new high schools in Pictou County today, July 22. Referred to as Pictou East and Pictou West, the high schools will be ready for the 2003-04 school year.

At sod-turning ceremonies, the premier thanked community members who worked toward building the new schools.

"Our government is committed to working with the community to provide good schools to our children, regardless of where they live in Nova Scotia," said Premier Hamm. "Here in Pictou County, the efforts of teachers, parents, local businesses, the school board, municipal governments and the provincial government will benefit our children for generations to come."

Pictou East will be built at a cost of $21.9 million, while Pictou West will cost $22.8 million. Five municipalities and local teachers have committed an additional $896,000, which will be used to add two 350-seat performance centres and to increase the size of each gymnasium by 189 square metres (2,100 sq. ft.). Corporate and community donors will also be making a significant financial contribution to the completion of the enhancements.

"A tremendous effort by a large number of Pictonians has resulted in many improvements to these new high schools," said Robert Parker, chair of the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board. "I'm confident that the corporate sector and fundraising activity will step forward to augment the taxpayers' contribution to complete all additions for opening day in September 2003."

The high school in Pictou East will be built on Park Street in New Glasgow, while the Pictou West high school will be built in Alma. More than 2,200 students will attend the two schools.

The five municipalities involved in funding the enhancements are Pictou County and the towns of New Glasgow, Stellarton, Westville and Trenton.