Ministers Foote and Aylward join celebrations to mark redevelopments of west coast schools

Judy Foote, Minister of Education, Kevin Aylward, MHA for the District of St. George�s - Stephenville East and Minister of Environment, and John Dollimount, chair of the Cormack Trail School Board, attended ceremonies today to mark major redevelopments of two schools in the Cormack Trail School District, Appalachia High in St. George�s and Belanger Memorial in Upper Ferry.

Both schools have received extensive renovations. Over $3 million was invested in upgrades to Belanger Memorial, while Appalachia High received $4.2 million in funding.

"These two schools represent the latest in a long list of capital construction projects undertaken since education reform in 1997," said Minister Foote. "We are committed to ensuring that the schools where our children spend a great deal of every day offer a positive learning experience. They must attend safe and modern school facilities where they can take advantage of every opportunity our education system has to offer."

Upgrades to Belanger include a new roof, five new classrooms, a science lab and multi-purpose/lunch room with a viewing glass to the gymnasium, a new resource centre, challenging needs suite and technology education room. Site work improvements included a paved parking lot and landscaping. There is also a new ventilation system and the building has been wired for computers.

The new extensions to Appalachia High include a link that joins the high school with Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School, a modern gymnasium, music room, three new classrooms and a new administration area and guidance area. Two accessibility lifts have been added and the resource centre was upgraded. Appalachia High also has a paved parking lot and landscaping.

"Students and parents of the St. George�s-Stephenville Crossing-Flat Bay area will benefit from major renovations and extensions to Appalachia High. This is now a modern high school facility. I thank the parents� committee for their ongoing work in support of this project. I express thank you to the teachers and staff for their support," said Minister Aylward. "The people of the Codroy Valley are now benefitting from the biggest investment in education in this area in the last 20 years. Belanger Memorial is now a modern school with the latest technology and excellent teaching staff. Again, I thank the parents� committee who worked with the school board and my office to make this happen."

"These two projects have been ongoing for quite some time and the board is indeed pleased to see them reach this stage," said Mr. Dollimount. "The board wishes to thank Minister Foote and the officials of her department for their cooperation and effort in these projects. We look forward to the future with a firm belief that if all the stakeholders work together we can have a positive impact. We must continue to focus on serving the needs of the students."

To date, government has invested over $19 million in capital construction projects in the Cormack Trail School District. This expenditure is part of government�s $170 million investment in new school facilities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Students attending these refurbished facilities will have all the teaching and learning resources they will need to succeed in school and at the post-secondary level," said Minister Foote. " I commend all board staff and trustees, teachers and parents for their dedication in seeing these projects completed for the benefit of all."

Media contact:

Carmel Turpin, Education, (709) 729-0048
Cynthia Layden-Barron, Environment, (709) 729-2575

2002 12 13                                       3:10 p.m.