Education and Early Childhood Development
Transportation and Works
March 5, 2015
Building Modern Learning Communities
Tender Awarded for New School in Paradise
A tender has been awarded for the construction of a new school in Paradise to accommodate students from Kindergarten to Grade 6. The contract, valued at $17.2 million, has been awarded to Pomerleau Inc.
�Our government listens to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and we know that education continues to be a priority for all residents. Our investment in a new school in Paradise addresses population growth in the region and will provide a modern learning environment for students and families. We recognize that education and lifelong learning is essential to economic development and to an individual�s pathway to success and well-being. By investing in strategic school infrastructure projects we are further illustrating our commitment to make education a priority for our students and teachers. This new school will be welcomed by families in Paradise and I am pleased to see this important project move into the construction phase.�
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and MHA, Topsail
The contract is for site work and construction of the school. The new school will be a two-story facility built to accommodate approximately 700 students. It will be constructed near Octagon Pond and will include 36 classrooms, a dividable gymnasium, a stage, a learning resource centre, two music rooms, a lunch/multi-purpose room, a commercial kitchen, as well as a playground and soccer field, among other spaces.
�Moving this project forward is a critical step towards addressing the growing population in the Paradise area � in fact this is the third Kindergarten to Grade 6 school this government has approved to address population growth in Paradise. Budget 2014 included $109 million for new schools, extensions and redevelopments - $62 million, or 57 per cent, of that funding was for projects to address capacity. The remaining funding was used to address aging school infrastructure. Our government continues to make vital investments in education throughout our province.�
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
The new school will be designed in accordance with the LEED green building rating system, incorporating new, environmentally-friendly initiatives that enhance both the learning environment and landscape of the entire area. The school will be fully ventilated with air conditioning available in specific locations. A highly efficient ground sourced terminal heat pump HVAC system is included in the design, as well as energy efficient lighting to maximize LEED credits.
�Investments in communities, children, and families are priorities of this government. Through this tender, we are hoping to have shovels in the ground as quickly as possible to build a new, modern school that will provide the required capacity to meet the long-term primary/elementary needs of Paradise and the surrounding area.�
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works
Since 2004, more than $681 million has been allocated for K-12 infrastructure. Fourteen new schools have opened, eight more are in various stages of planning or construction, 27 major extension and renovation projects have been completed, and 10 more are underway.
QUICK FACTS
- A tender has been awarded to start construction of a new Kindergarten to Grade 6 school in Paradise.
- The new, two-story school is expected to accommodate about 700 students and will be constructed near Octagon Pond.
- Occupancy is expected to take place in fall 2016.
- Since 2004, over $681 million has been allocated for K-12 infrastructure.
- For more information on the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development�s K-12 school infrastructure programs, visit www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/repairs/index.html.
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Media contacts:
| Heather MacLean Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Donna Ivey Special Assistant, Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3551, 699-2402 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
|
Jennifer Tulk Director of Communications Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-0048, 728-4014 jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca |
Scott Barfoot Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 690-6290 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
2015 03 05 6:20 p.m.