Phase I of Herdman Collegiate tendered

Education Minister Joan Burke is pleased to announce today that the tender has been awarded to begin Phase I of the redevelopment of Herdman Collegiate in Corner Brook. EFCO Enterprises Limited, a west coast firm, was the successful bidder for the first phase of upgrades to the school, which includes construction of the exterior portion of the new gym.

�Our government has demonstrated a commitment to improved curriculum and educational facilities, which provide better learning environments for our children, and an emphasis on physical education,� said Premier Danny Williams, MHA for the District of Humber West. �The redevelopment of Herdman Collegiate illustrates government�s willingness to continue with these initiatives and will maintain the strong tradition of exemplary education in the City of Corner Brook.�

�I am delighted to announce today that work on Herdman will commence shortly,� said Minister Burke. �More than $1.3 million will be spent on Phase I. Once complete, students attending Herdman Collegiate will have the highest quality physical education facility and fitness centre, rivaling any other in the province.�

Over the past several years, the school board has conducted extensive public consultations surrounding the school system in Corner Brook. Following these consultations, the board made the decision to operate a single high school in the area and requested funding to redevelop Herdman Collegiate, thereby making more efficient use of teaching resources and offering a broader spectrum of programs and services.

Tom Marshall, MHA for the District of Humber East, said, �I welcome today's announcement. This school has been in need of renovations for quite sometime. These upgrades will provide students of Herdman Collegiate with a state of the art facility, including a fitness centre for students, making Herdman the first school in the province to have such a centre. I applaud this initiative and look forward to the continued redevelopment of the school.�

Minister Burke noted that this project is a very positive development for Corner Brook high school students. �The new facility will be among the most modern and well-equipped schools in the province. With a target date for completion set at September 2007, students, teachers and all education stakeholders in the area will soon be enjoying their improved facility,� said the minister.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

2005 11 28                                 9:25 a.m.