Oak Park Selected For New Barrington School

Oak Park will be the site of the new Barrington high school, the Department of Education said today, Oct. 7.

The decision was made after extensive consultation with the Tri- County Regional School Board, the community school steering team, and the Department of Transportation and Public Works, which will manage the construction project.

"Schools can be part of a community for generations, so it was worth taking the time to ensure we had the best possible site," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "This is going to be a fine new school. I want to thank everyone involved for their diligence and patience in the site selection process."

"The board is very happy to see a site selected for the new Barrington high," said superintendent Phil Landry. "I commend the principal, students, staff, and community for their patience and understanding during this long process. The Department of Education has been with us every step of the way and we thank them also for their hard work and patience in finding a suitable site."

Tenders for the construction of the $11.5-million project will close Tuesday, Oct. 19, and work is scheduled to begin in mid- November.

The school will accommodate an enrolment of 711 in 24 classrooms. It features five laboratories and dedicated space for music, visual arts, information technology and family studies.

The Department of Transportation and Public Works expects the new school to be ready for students in January 2006.