Sir John A. Macdonald High School Upgrade Underway

Work began on Monday, June 20, that will make Sir John A. Macdonald High School in Halifax Regional Municipality a healthier, safer place for students and staff.

Bedford-based Rideau Construction Inc. was awarded the $1,478,976 renovation contract last week. Workers will paint the interior of the building, install new ceilings and lighting, and upgrade the electrical and ventilation systems. Some classrooms will be enlarged and the administrative area will be upgraded.

"By fall 2006, Sir John A. students will have a better learning environment," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "We committed to a number of improvements to the school and we're delivering on that promise."

Earlier health and safety renovations at Sir John A. Macdonald were completed in March 2003 at a cost of more than $5 million. The following November, the Halifax Regional School Board asked for the building to be converted into a junior high school to coincide with the announcement of a new high school for the area.

The school will become Sir John A. Macdonald Junior High in September 2006 and it will be able to accommodate 800 students. Grades 10-12 classes currently housed there will move to the new Western HRM High School in Tantallon, also scheduled to open in September 2006.

"We're very pleased that these renovations will soon be complete," said Sarah Nightingale, chairperson of the Sir John A. Macdonald school advisory committee. "We're on the road to a new beginning and a new family of schools in our community."

"This project wouldn't have been possible without the support and patience of the staff, students and families associated with this school," said Mr. Muir.

By the time the work at Sir John A. Macdonald High is completed, the provincial government will have invested $6.5 million in renovations at the school. Last week, the government awarded a $13.5 million construction tender to build Western HRM High School.