Education
September 14, 2010Work to Begin on Extension for
Balbo Elementary in Shoal Harbour
Work will soon begin on a $6 million extension to Balbo Elementary in
Shoal Harbour. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education,
announced that the tender for the extension has been awarded to Eastern
Contracting Limited today, as he joined the Honourable Ross Wiseman, MHA
for Trinity North, and Ford Rice, CEO/Director of the Eastern School
District, to break ground on the site of the new extension.
"This extension will help address the growing enrolment we anticipate
in this area over the coming years and will provide an enhanced learning
environment for all children attending Balbo Elementary," said Minister
King. "This school is one of the many schools across the province
undergoing significant work to create modern and appropriate spaces for
children to learn and thrive."
The construction contract is valued at $5.7 million. The extension
will include 10 additional classrooms, which will expand capacity to
accommodate an additional 250 children. It will also include a new
gymnasium, kitchen, lunchroom, health room, special services room, and
multi-purpose room, as well as increased space for staff and
administration. The extension is expected to be complete by the fall of
2011.
Minister King also announced over $2.5 million in repair and
maintenance work in progress or recently completed for three other
schools in the District of Trinity North.
Windows and doors will be replaced in Random Island All-Grade and
interior renovations and electrical upgrades will be made to Bishop
White All-Grade in Port Rexton. As well, Southwest Arm Academy in Little
Heart's Ease recently had renovations, exterior building upgrades and
electrical upgrades completed.
"This extension will provide for the long-awaited realignment of the
Clarenville - Shoal Harbour School System," said Minister Wiseman. "I'm
delighted with this announcement and the improvements it will make to
our area's educational programming."
Budget 2010:
The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our
Future
provided $113.5 million in funding for K-12 infrastructure
throughout the province this year. This includes funding for the
construction of new schools, extension and renovation projects and
approximately 150 maintenance projects.
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