Construction to Begin on New School in Carbonear

Construction will soon begin on a new K-8 school to replace Davis Elementary in Carbonear following a recent tender, valued at close to $15.7 million, being awarded to Marco Services Ltd. of St. John’s.

“The new school will be built to accommodate about 450 students and be equipped with all the latest in teaching and learning resources,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education. “This is part of the Provincial Government’s ongoing commitment to upgrading and replacing school infrastructure throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Minister Jackman noted preparatory site work has been completed, at a cost of $2.5 million, bringing the total now allocated for the school to $18.2 million. Construction is expected to begin this fall and be completed in the fall of 2013.

“I am very pleased that construction is set to begin on the new K-8 school for students of Carbonear,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for Carbonear - Harbour Grace. “This new facility will be state-of-the-art and is a welcome addition to our many ongoing infrastructure improvements in the area and will be a significant asset to the community.”

The new school will feature 19 classrooms, two special services rooms and a challenging needs room, a gymnasium and fitness area with change rooms, and a cafeteria. Other features include designated classrooms for home economics, art, music, applied technology and a science lab.

Designed to incorporate new environmentally-friendly initiatives, the school will also feature energy-efficient lighting, occupancy-based heating and ventilation control, and water conserving features. Students will be able to monitor the school’s green initiatives through an interactive kiosk displaying the school’s environmental and energy efficient features. Outside, there will be a fenced play area with green space for the primary grades.

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador provided $94.5 million for new and ongoing K-12 infrastructure projects, including $34.3 million for repairs and maintenance. Since 2004, the Provincial Government has allocated more than $504 million for school infrastructure. Nine new schools have opened; five more are in various stages of planning or construction; 11 major extension and renovation projects have been completed, and seven more are underway or in the planning stages.

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2011 11 10                                 9:45 a.m.