Executive Council
Education
October 17, 2012

Work to Begin on Major Expansion of Roncalli Elementary

The Roncalli Elementary school community in St. John’s joined the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education, today (Wednesday, October 17) for a sod-turning event to officially mark the beginning of work on a $20.7 million extension and renovation to the school.

“The student population at Roncalli has more than doubled in recent years and is expected to increase even further in the future,” said Premier Dunderdale, MHA for Virginia Waters. “Everything we do in education is about the students, and I am pleased that, working together with the school community, we have reached this significant milestone in the revitalization of this facility. I look forward to watching the transformation as work progresses.”

The tender for the project has been awarded to Baraco Atlantic Corp. of St. John’s.

“This project will see the construction of a large extension as well as the redevelopment of the existing school,” said Minister Jackman. “The extension will include a new food service area, a gymnasium, and 20 new classrooms, while the redevelopment will reconfigure space to include four new classrooms, a multi-purpose/lunch room and a resource centre. A former chapel at the front of the school will also be replaced by a new administration wing. In short, students, teachers and the entire Roncalli Elementary school community will have a much-improved learning environment designed to serve their needs for many years to come.”

The work will be carried out in two phases, with the extension expected to be complete by September, 2014, and the redeveloped section by September, 2015.

The Roncalli Elementary project is designed to follow the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system, in accordance with the Provincial Energy Plan. Designed to incorporate new, environmentally-friendly initiatives, it will feature energy efficient and occupancy-based heating, using Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) technology, energy efficient lighting and ventilation control, as well as water conserving features. Students will also be able to monitor the school’s green initiatives through an interactive kiosk displaying the school’s environmental and energy efficient features.

Budget 2012 includes $115 million for new and ongoing K-12 infrastructure, including $29 million for priority repairs and maintenance. 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 planning or construction; 12 major extension and renovation projects have been completed, and seven more are underway or in the planning stages. This level of infrastructure investment is unprecedented in the province’s history.

- 30 -

Photo: The Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, was at Roncalli Elementary in St. John’s today to officially announce the beginning of a $20.7 million expansion and redevelopment of the school.

Media contacts:

2012 10 17                         10:50 a.m.