New Schools for Stewiacke, Musquodoboit Students
Elementary students in Stewiacke and high school students in Musquodoboit are getting new schools and a Truro school is getting a major renovation.
The schools are part of a series of multi-year investments to improve and build schools for Nova Scotia's students.
"Quality schools give our students the classrooms, libraries, gyms and other facilities they need to learn and grow," said MLA Brooke Taylor, on behalf of Education Minister Angus MacIsaac. "New and renovated schools are part of our commitment to improving education in Nova Scotia."
Construction on the 49,438 square foot Musquodoboit Rural High will begin in 2005-06. The $12 million school will be open for 425 students in 2007-08.
The school will have 13 classrooms and a learning support room along with science, chemistry, physics, biology and information technology labs. It will have a library, visual arts, music and drama rooms and technology education and family studies areas. Students will enjoy an 8,400 square foot gym, 700 square foot multipurpose room as well as a cafeteria and teen health centre.
"This is a great announcement for the students, staff and communities of the Musquodoboit valley," said David Driscoll, chair of the Halifax Regional School Board. "I'm pleased the government accepted the board's recommendation to build a new school in this area. Our students will benefit greatly from the opportunities a new modern high school will present."
Construction will begin on the new $8 million Stewiacke Elementary in 2006-07. It will accommodate 400 students from the communities of Stewiacke and Stewiacke East when it is completed in September 2008.
The 35,870 square foot school will have 15 classrooms along with learning support and reading recovery rooms. It will have an 8,400 square foot gym, cafeteria, library and visual arts and music rooms.
"I'm very pleased for the communities of Stewiacke and Stewiacke East," said Karen Barkhouse, member of the Chignecto Central Regional School Board representing the Stewiacke area. "A new school will benefit the children of our communities for years to come. Soon, we will have a top-notch facility to accommodate our top-notch educators and students."
The school board is also receiving $3.7 million for renovations to Salmon River Elementary in Truro. The renovations will begin in 2007-08 and be completed by 2011-12.
The renovations include a new library and music room, which are currently housed in classroom space. Improvements will be made to the bus loop. The school will also receive mechanical and electrical upgrades, new exterior cladding, paint, new windows and roof repairs.
School boards submit their priorities for new schools and renovations to the Department of Education. The department asks a capital construction committee to review the board priorities in order to develop a provincial priority list. The committee includes representatives from the Nova Scotia School Boards Association, and the departments of Education, Finance, and Transportation and Public Works.