Site preparation begins for new school in Mobile

Education Minister Joan Burke announced today that the first phase of construction of a new $7 million 7-12 school in Mobile will get underway in the coming weeks. A tender to lay the groundwork for the facility has been awarded to Eastern Contracting of Mount Pearl.

�The new school will be constructed on the current site and will be complete for fall 2007,� said Minister Burke. �I�m confident students, teachers and the community of Mobile will benefit from the many new and exciting facilities and resources that will make this school one of the most modern and technically advanced in the province�

Students attending the new Mobile school will have access to a science laboratory, a skilled trades and technology suite, specially designed facilities for students with physical disabilities, a guidance centre, a modern library resource centre, a fitness centre, a gymnasium, an art room, lunch room and music room. In addition, each classroom and instructional area will be fitted with computers which will be connected to each other through a local area network. The school will also be fitted with a full mechanical ventilation system to ensure the comfort and safety of students and teachers. The area around the school will be landscaped and have a paved parking lot.

Minister Loyola Sullivan, MHA for the District of Ferryland said, �"I am very pleased to see the commencement of this project. I have no doubt that this new facility will enhance the educational opportunities available to the students of Mobile school. This new facility will be a corner stone to the area and will effectively meet the educational needs of our youth."

Dr. Darin King, CEO/Director of Education, Eastern School District said, �We are extremely pleased that our board of trustees, Mobile high school council and government have worked together in a spirit of support and cooperation to make a new, modern high school a reality for the school community of Mobile.�

The work to be completed by Eastern Contracting includes pouring the foundation and erecting the steel. This phase of development is expected to take approximately three months. A fence will be erected around the construction site while work proceeds and access to the site will be controlled to ensure the safety of students.

�This is a significant investment, but one that reflects the emphasis government is placing on improving the education system across our province. We will continue to invest in all areas of our K-12 system including infrastructure, teachers, technology and learning resources, as a means to move our people and our province forward,� said the minister.

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

2006 07 28                                      12:45 p.m.