Official Start for New Elementary School in Truro

Students, parents and teachers joined school board and government officials to formally start construction of the new Harmony Heights Elementary School in Truro today, April 23.

Education Minister Karen Casey and principal Wanda Vautour, assisted a group of local elementary school students in turning the first sod on the future site of the school.

"Today, Truro's youngest students are one step closer to enjoying the safe and healthy learning environment this new school will bring," said Ms. Casey. "I am pleased that this construction project is proceeding."

Ms. Casey also thanked the school's steering team for guiding the consultation process so successfully.

The new $8.1 million school will replace the Salmon River and Alice Street schools when it is completed in September 2008. About 360 students in Primary to Grade 5 will attend the Harmony Heights school.

The school's design will be enhanced in several ways thanks to support from the community:

• the cafeteria will be expanded by 1,000 square feet
• space designated for additional parking spaces
• space designated for an additional playground structure.

"I am delighted the communities that will be served by the new Harmony Heights school will be provided with a state-of-the-art facility," said Dr. Noel Hurley, superintendent of the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board. The learning cultures at Alice Street and Salmon River schools will merge to become a new learning community in which each child learns to his or her potential."

Maxim 2000 Construction Inc. was awarded the construction contract in January 2007. The Department of Transportation and Public Works will oversee the construction of the school.

The school board approved the school's name, submitted by the school steering team, last month.

The school, and one other elementary school for the Truro area, were announced in 2003. The schools are being built through the province's eight-year, $400-million capital construction program.