Progress report on school building improvements

When students throughout Newfoundland and Labrador get back to hitting the books, they may notice some improvements to their schools because contractors have been busy throughout the summer vacation improving school roofs, windows, siding and brick work.

More than 12,000 students will arrive at schools that have received new or upgraded roofs, or will soon see roof work beginning, said Education Minister Tom Hedderson. Contracts have been awarded for roof work on some 26 schools that will be completed throughout the Fall. Tenders are also currently being called for roof work on two other schools.

�World-class education is among this government�s highest priorities,� said Minister Hedderson. �From Labrador City to St. John�s, and from Harbour Grace to Springdale, roofing contractors have been busy all summer preparing schools for the students� arrival. To put the extent of work in perspective, the total square footage of new or improved roofing this year alone is almost 6 hectares. That amounts to roofing that would cover 38 NHL hockey rinks.�
Roofing construction is complete or nearing completion on 13 schools. It is anticipated that work on all remaining schools will be complete this construction season. �A limited number of companies are able to do this type of roofing,� said the minister. �We are proceeding as quickly as possible and are certainly on top of things. We are monitoring the work on a weekly basis to see if we can move forward with yet more projects this year or, if necessary, hold them over until next Spring.�

In addition to the millions invested in roofing upgrades, the Department of Education is also replacing windows and siding on 13 schools, and coordinating preventative maintenance on brick work.

�Government will continue to make prudent and strategic decisions with our limited resources. Directing much-needed funds to school improvements is not only an investment in our children, but ultimately in our future. Secure learning environments are essential components of any quality educational system,� added Minister Hedderson.

The minister is currently returning from Prince Edward Island where he has been participating in the meetings of the Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training (CAMET).

Media contact: Alex Marland, Communications, (709) 729-0048, or 690-6047

BACKGROUNDER
School building improvements

Schools with roofing contracts awarded:

• C.C. Loughlin Elementary, Corner Brook

• Elwood Elementary, Deer Lake

• Xavier Junior High, Deer Lake

• Queen Elizabeth Regional High, Foxtrap

• Sprucewood Academy, Grand Falls-Windsor

• St. Francis High, Harbour Grace

• A.P. Low Elementary, Labrador City

• Centre educatif l�ENVOL, Labrador City

• Menihek High School, Labrador City

• Lewisporte Middle School, Lewisporte

• Mount Pearl Intermediate, Mount Pearl

• Newtown Elementary, Mount Pearl

• St. Peter�s Elementary, Mount Pearl

• Gill Memorial Academy, Musgrave Harbour

• Pasadena Elementary, Pasadena

• Indian River High, Springdale

• Beaconsfield Junior High, St. John�s

• Bishop Abraham Elementary, St. John�s

• Cowan Heights Elementary, St. John�s

• Hazelwood Elementary, St. John�s

• Holy Cross Junior High, St. John�s

• Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John�s

• Prince of Wales Collegiate, St. John�s

• MacDonald Drive Elementary, St. John�s

• MacDonald Drive Junior High, St. John�s

• Persalvic Elementary, Victoria

Schools with roofing tenders called:

• Baccalieu Collegiate, Old Perlican

• Paradise Elementary, Paradise

Schools with window contracts awarded:

• Centreville Academy, Centreville-Wareham

• James Cook Memorial, Cook�s Harbour

• Cottrell�s Cove Academy, Cottrell�s Cove

• Gander Academy, Gander

• Glovertown Academy, Glovertown

• Truman Edison Memorial, Griquet

• A.P. Low Elementary, Labrador City

• St. Peter�s Junior High, Mount Pearl

• Anthony Paddon Elementary, Musgravetown

• Point Leamington Academy, Point Leamington

• St. Anthony Elementary, St. Anthony

• Bishops College, St. John�s

• St. Paul�s Junior High, St. John�s

2005 09 02                        12:45 p.m.