Ministers Tour New Extension of Gander School

A new $1.5 million extension to St. Paul’s Intermediate is Gander in scheduled to open this fall. The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education, and the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and MHA for Gander, were at the school this morning (Wednesday, July 18) to view the facility and talk about the new opportunities it will provide to students and staff.

“The extension to St. Paul’s Intermediate includes a new technology education suite, music room, and fitness centre, and is a tremendous addition to the school,” Minister Jackman said. “With approximately $2.3 million in upgrades invested in St. Paul’s since 2004, including new roofing, windows and other repairs, this facility is poised to serve the Gander and area school community well into the future.”

Minister Jackman also took the opportunity to announce there will be parking lot upgrades at St. Paul’s Intermediate and the adjacent Gander Collegiate.

“I am delighted to see another well-needed investment made to our two school parking lots in Gander,” said Minister O’Brien. “Our government’s commitment to keeping our schools’ exterior upgraded is certainly positive news to the students, teachers and people of our community.”

Budget 2012: People and Prosperity includes $115 million for new and ongoing K-12 infrastructure, including funding to investigate the feasibility of a new school in Gander. Design Management Group of Gander has been appointed as consultant on that project, and preparatory work has begun.

Since 2004, about $567 million has been allocated for school infrastructure throughout the province. Nine new schools have opened; 10 more are in various stages of planning or construction; 12 major extension and renovation projects have been completed, and six more are underway or in the planning stages.

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2012 07 18             11:20 a.m.