August 20, 2014
Investing in Schools and Communities
Tender Awarded for Site Work at New Grades 4-6 School in Gander
Site work will begin soon in preparation for the construction of a new school in Gander, following the recent award of a tender, valued at close to $2.3 million, to LSG Construction of Gander.
“This new school, which will serve students in Grades 4-6, is part of a larger plan to construct, reconstruct and revamp K-6 school facilities in Gander. This particular contract includes site preparation and the installation of site services such as water and sewer. I look forward to seeing the new school take shape, and for students and teachers to be accommodated in a more modern teaching and learning environment.”
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education
The new school will be located on Magee Road, at the corner of Raynham Avenue. It will include 25 classroom spaces (including special education); a gymnasium and stage; a library resource centre; two music rooms; a lunch/multi-purpose room; a commercial kitchen, among other spaces. It is expected to be ready for occupancy in early 2017.
“It is very gratifying to see this Provincial Government project moving forward with the co-operation of the Gander Academy school council, school board personnel, the Town of Gander and others. It has been a truly co-operative effort, and I thank the entire school community for their support in bringing this project to fruition. Every Gander area school has seen significant upgrades and improvements in recent years, and this site work is the next step in the revitalization of K-12 school facilities in the area.”
- The Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills, and MHA for Gander
Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook also provides funding to plan for the partial demolition and significant reconstruction of Gander Academy to serve as a K-3 school. It is part of almost $18 million approved (to date) for education infrastructure in the Gander area since 2004, including:
- Over $4.5 million for an extension, as well as interior and exterior upgrades to Gander Collegiate;
- Almost $2.7 million for an extension and interior and exterior upgrades to St. Paul’s Intermediate;
- Over $1.8 million for modular classrooms and interior and exterior upgrades to Gander Academy; and
- $500,000 for roofing and windows at Lakewood Academy in Glenwood.
Since 2004, over $681 million has been allocated for K-12 infrastructure, a level of investment unprecedented in the province’s history. Fourteen new schools have been constructed; eight more are in various stages of planning or construction; 27 major extensions and renovation projects have been completed, and 10 more are underway.
QUICK FACTS
- A tender valued at close to $2.3 million has been awarded to LSG Construction of Gander to complete site work in preparation for the construction of a new school in Gander to serve Grades 4-6.
- The school is being designed to accommodate about 450 students, and is expected to be opened in early 2017.
- Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook also provided funding for the planned partial demolition and reconstruction of Gander Academy to serve as a K-3 facility in the town.
- Almost $18 million has been approved (to date) for education infrastructure in the Gander area since 2004.
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NOTE: An illustration to accompany this release is available on the News Releases site at www.gov.nl.ca/releases or on the News Releases Photos site at //www.releases.gov.nl.ca/Photos/All.
Media contact:
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Debbie Kieley Constituency Assistant to the Honourable Kevin O’Brien MHA for Gander 709-256-3729 debbiekieley@gov.nl.ca |
2014 08 20 3:50 p.m.