New School for Hammonds Plains, Halifax Regional Municipality
EDUCATION--New School for Hammonds Plains, Halifax Regional Municipality
The province delivered good news today for students and teachers living and working in one of the fastest growing communities in the province.
Premier John Hamm announced that a new school will be built for primary to Grade 9 students in the Hammonds Plains area.
"Today's announcement will take children out of the portables and back into the school," said Premier Hamm. "It will also allow them to get the education they need close to home."
The new school will alleviate the current overcrowding situation at Hammonds Plains Consolidated school and Madeline Symonds Middle School.
"We have to give the students a good environment where they can learn and where teachers can teach," said Education Minister Angus MacIsaac. "Building and renovating schools is an important part of our Learning for Life strategy to help improve student's education."
The Halifax Regional School Board will establish a site selection committee and school steering team to give students, teachers and other community members an opportunity to provide input into the location and design of the new school.
"We're extremely pleased with the announcement of a new Primary to Grade 9 school in Hammonds Plains," said Carole Olsen, superintendent of the Halifax Regional School Board. "This was one of the board's top priorities and without a new school, the overcrowding pressure on both Hammonds Plains Consolidated and Madeline Symonds Middle School would continue to increase as new families choose to locate in the area."
The total cost of the school will be confirmed once the size of its student population is determined through a school boundary process. The Halifax Regional School Board is currently reviewing the boundaries for Hammonds Plains Consolidated and Madeline Symonds Middle School to respond to the needs of an increasing student population in this part of Halifax Regional Municipality. It is estimated the total cost of the school project will be between $10-15 million.
Construction on the school is expected to begin in May 2004 and be completed in September 2005.
There were 12 schools built and more than 150 schools renovated at a cost of close to $200 million between 2000 and 2003.