New money for school construction and renovations

An additional $23 million has been allocated to address priority construction and renovation projects in the province�s school system.

"This funding is in addition to the $12 million we announced last year and the $125 million announced in 1998-1999, which was the single largest investment in education since Confederation. This brings the total investment in school construction and renovations since educational reorganization to $160 million," said Education Minister Judy Foote.

"Government�s continued reinvestment in school construction and renovations is indicative of our commitment to providing students with high quality education in a state-of-the-art, safe and comfortable environment," added the minister.

To date, eight new state-of-the-art schools have been constructed in Buchans, Clarenville, Hopedale, Nain, Norman Bay, Pollard�s Point, Rigolet and Upper Trinity South. Planning and/or construction is under way for 10 more in Arnold�s Cove, Burgeo, Englee/Roddickton, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Lethbridge/Musgravetown, Lower Trinity South, Manuels, New World Island, Plum Point and Pouch Cove/Flatrock.

In addition, major renovations and extensions have been completed on 27 schools in communities throughout the province.

Media contact: Andrea Maunder, Communications, (709) 729-0048.

2001 03 22                    3:15 p.m.