Tender Awarded For New HRM High School

Students from Tantallon and the surrounding area are one step closer to attending a new high school. Rideau Construction Inc. of Bedford was notified today, June 3, that it is the successful bidder to build the new Western HRM High School in St. Margaret's Bay.

"The new high school will be built on time and on budget," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "The school steering team has done a tremendous job to ensure the new school is designed to meet student and faculty needs."

The school will be built to accommodate about 1,100 students. It will include nine science laboratories, a 279-square metre (3,000-square foot) library, plus arts, music and technology rooms. A stage that opens on to a 350 seat café-torium on one side and a gymnasium on the other will be an added feature for students, teachers and the community to enjoy.

The departments of Education and Transportation and Public Works worked closely with the Halifax Regional School Board and local communities to develop plans for the new school.

The contract awarded to Rideau Construction is valued at $13,547,000. Total cost for the new school is $17.5 million. Work is scheduled to begin mid-June and the school will be ready for students in September 2006.