Minister provides update on Hopedale school

Education Minister John Ottenheimer today provided details on plans for teachers and students affected by the fire at Amos Comenius Memorial in Hopedale. The school was damaged by fire the morning of September 10.

"Since receiving this unfortunate news, Department of Education staff and I have been in regular contact with board staff, the principal, the mayor of Hopedale, and Wally Andersen, MHA for Torngat Mountains," said Minister Ottenheimer. "We are committed to finding the quickest and most reasonable short and long term solutions for schooling those children affected by the fire, and will continue to work closely with the board and fire commissioner in the best interests of the children.

"Today, senior staff of the department will meet in Hopedale with Jeff Thompson, director of the Labrador School Board, and school staff to begin planning for the re-opening of the school. Clearly, our first priority is to find suitable arrangements for the high school students and we anticipate they will resume classes as soon as possible."

The school suffered smoke and water damage, however fire doors prevented significant damage to the classroom area. The department will assist in securing cleaning services as soon as possible to expedite the clean-up process. The department will also work with the Town of Hopedale, the fire commissioner and the board in locating alternate accommodations, if necessary, for all students. To date, a number of alternate sites have been identified which are acceptable to the board and the fire commissioner's office.

In the meantime, the department has engaged the services of an architectural consulting company. Contemporary Architecture and Design, Inc., has been appointed to provide consulting services related to replacing that section of the school destroyed by fire.

"We understand that the entire community is affected by this loss and we will do everything we can to ensure a speedy solution. All students should be accommodated within a couple of weeks, and we hope the students can resume classes as quickly as possible," said the minister.

Media contact: Lynn Salter, Communications, (709) 729-0048

2004 09 15                                   9:55 a.m.