Tender awarded for site development for Holy Trinity High extension

Education Minister Judy Foote and Percy Barrett, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, announced today the contract to begin site work for the extension to Holy Trinity High School in Torbay has been awarded to Triple A Excavation.

The extension to Holy Trinity High will see approximately 20,600 square feet added to the school to provide 15 new classrooms, a new science lab, a challenging needs suite and a music room. In addition to the extension, renovations to the existing building will be carried out to add a library/resource centre, a technology education suite and a second challenging needs suite.

"The provincial government is committed to ensuring the students of Holy Trinity High attend a modern and safe school which will enhance their learning opportunities," said Minister Foote. "When this project is complete, Holy Trinity High will be a school of which the students, teachers, parents and the entire community can be proud."

Funding to complete the capital upgrades to Holy Trinity was included in the $15 million the provincial government allocated to the Avalon East School Board December 18, 1998, for capital projects within the school district. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 2004.

"The awarding of this tender, which is valued at $47,495, is the first step in the process of extending and renovating Holy Trinity," said Minister Barrett. "The site work will prepare the grounds for the construction of the extension. We expect the site work to be completed by the middle of April 2003."

"Since 1997, government has provided approximately $38 million for capital construction projects within the Avalon East School District," said Minister Foote. "This comprises part of government�s $170 million investment in new school facilities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This government�s commitment to improve the learning environments of students is unprecedented."

Media contact:

Carmel Turpin, Education, (709) 729-0048
Lynn Evans, Work, Services and Transportation, (709) 729-3015

2002 12 18                                       4:10 p.m.