Education
February 15, 2012
Premier Officially Opens Copper Ridge Academy in Baie Verte
The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was in Baie Verte today (Wednesday, February 15) to officially open Copper Ridge Academy, a new K-12 school serving approximately 350 students. The Premier was joined by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education, and Kevin Pollard, MHA for Baie Verte-Springdale.
“Copper Ridge Academy is part of the most significant school infrastructure improvement program ever undertaken in our province,” said Premier Dunderdale. “Over the past eight years, we have taken a systematic approach to new school construction, redevelopments, repairs, and maintenance to ensure our students and teachers have high quality learning environments. Today, the entire Copper Ridge Academy school community can celebrate what will be a long and proud history of teaching and learning, and lifelong friendships made within these walls.”
Built at a cost of $16.7 million, Copper Ridge Academy features a library/resource centre, family resource centre, a special education suite, a large gymnasium with shower rooms and a fitness centre, a music room and skilled trades suite. Constructed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, in accordance with the Provincial Energy Plan, the school also contains an interactive kiosk which allows students to monitor the school’s green initiatives, such as water conservation and reduction in electricity usage.
“I am honoured to be here to celebrate this significant event in the history of education on the Baie Verte Peninsula,” said Minister Jackman. “I know the students here today will get the education they need to achieve their individual goals, and to build a strong future for Newfoundland and Labrador, for Canada, and indeed, for the world.”
Copper Ridge Academy replaces three older schools in the area – Baie Verte Academy, Baie Verte Collegiate and Deckwood Primary.
“I am extremely pleased that government has invested significantly in this state-of-the-art school for the Baie Verte region,” said MHA Pollard. "The new facility will provide our youth with a modern, engaging learning environment in which to thrive and grow. I am confident that parents, students, and teachers will be well served for years to come, and that Copper Ridge Academy will be a tremendous asset to the entire educational community.”
Since 2004, the Provincial Government has allocated more than $504 million for school infrastructure. Nine new schools have opened and several more are in various stages of planning or construction.
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Photo: Premier Kathy Dunderdale signs a poster for students at the official opening of Copper Ridge Academy in Baie Verte.
Media contacts:
| Glenda Power Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 glendapower@gov.nl.ca |
Milly Brown Press Secretary Office of the Premier 709-729-4304, 631-8477 millybrown@gov.nl.ca |
|
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Tess Burke Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-3551 tessburke@gov.nl.ca |
2012 02 15 1:30 p.m.