With over $2 million being invested in school infrastructure in the Isles of Notre Dame, students, teachers and staff will soon benefit from enhanced learning facilities. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, visited several schools in the region today and participated in a ground-breaking ceremony for the new extension to New World Island Academy. He was joined by Derrick Dalley, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education and MHA for the Isles of Notre Dame.

"We are working diligently to upgrade school infrastructure across the province so that we can offer the best learning environments," said Minister King. "The significant investments we are making in the Isles of Notre Dame region will revitalize two schools and ultimately it will mean safer and healthier facilities for those who work and learn here."

J.M. Olds Collegiate in Twillingate is undergoing an electrical upgrade and an exterior upgrade with the replacement of siding and doors, which is expected to be completed in early March 2011.

In addition, as announced in Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future , $1.2 million has been invested for an expansion to New World Island Academy. The extension will include a new fitness room and gymnasium storage room. Additional renovations will equip the school with two new computer rooms and a new skilled trades suite. Design work is ongoing and construction is anticipated to begin in the coming months.

"As the member for this region and an educator, I am thrilled to see these improvements taking place" said Mr. Dalley. "Improving our learning environments and adding new programs will benefit our students and teachers for years to come."

$113.5 million is being invested this year for new school construction, re-developments and 150 priority repair and maintenance projects in schools across Newfoundland and Labrador.

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