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Education
September 14, 2010

Work 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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Media contacts:

Tara Power
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 727-5953
tarapower@gov.nl.ca
Chick Cholock
Executive Assistant to
the Hon. Ross Wiseman
MHA, Trinity North
709-729-0739
chickcholock@gov.nl.ca

2010 09 14                                                       1:50 p.m.
 


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