Eastern Shore School Gets Formal Start

Students, staff, and community members moved a step closer to a new Grade Primary to 9 school on the Eastern Shore today, May 17, with a ceremonial sod-turning.

The $12-million building, to be constructed next to the current Robert Jamison School, will accommodate about 650 students in grades Primary to 9.

Education Minister Jamie Muir said students and the community will benefit from the new school.

"This school will replace four buildings on the Eastern Shore -- the current Robert Jamison School, Jeddore-Lakeville School, Harbourside Elementary and Musquodoboit Harbour Elementary School. It will also eliminate overcrowding at Gaetz Brook Junior High," said Mr. Muir. "In addition, this project will provide facilities very much needed in this community -- a first-class, full-size gymnasium, and a new soccer pitch."

Representatives of the three groups joined officials from the province and the Halifax Regional School Board for the event, which took place at the site of the new school at Oyster Pond.

"It pleases me that this facility will truly be a school the whole community can enjoy when it opens," said Bridget Ann Boutilier, district 1 board member for the Halifax Regional School Board. "Not only will there be significant upgrades to the program space, but there will also be enhanced facilities that the community can use outside of school hours."

Construction of the school is scheduled to begin in August, with the opening planned for September 2006.

Teachers and parents, through the school steering team, had a significant impact on the school design, including the decision to construct a raised drama room than can double as a stage. When used as a stage, it can open onto either the cafeteria or the gymnasium, depending on the size of the event.

Robert Jamison is part of the school capital program worth more than $320 million over the next six years.

In the past year, Nova Scotia invested $36 million in nine projects involving new schools and extensive renovations.

The construction of the new Robert Jamison School will be supervised by the Department of Transportation and Public Works.