Redevelopment of Future Junior High Underway in Corner Brook

With the recent awarding of a contract valued at almost $12 million to Marco Services Ltd., construction is now underway to redevelop the former Regina High School as an intermediate school to serve students in the Corner Brook area.

“This redevelopment is the latest in a series of almost 40 major school infrastructure projects, including new schools, extensions, redevelopments and extensive renovations undertaken in the past nine years,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education, who officially marked the occasion today with a sod-turning at the site. “This $12 million project will give students and staff a modern teaching and learning environment which will serve their needs for many years to come. It is just one indication of the importance this government places on ensuring available resources are put directly into schools, where they can have the greatest impact on students and staff.”

Minister Jackman was joined by Minster Tom Marshall, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for Humber East, and Vaughn Granter, MHA for Humber West.

“This contract will now see a newly-redeveloped junior high school similar to the redevelopment which took place with Corner Brook Regional High,” said Minister Marshall. “I fully expect the junior high students will be equally pleased with this new facility, which will carry on the long tradition of academic and athletic excellence at this location, the site of the former Regina High School.”

The redeveloped junior high school will have capacity of about 750 students and will include such features as a new gymnasium, fitness centre, multi-purpose/lunchroom and upgraded science labs and classrooms. It is expected to open in September 2014.

“I am extremely pleased with this multi-million dollar announcement to redevelop this school,” said MHA Granter. “This investment will create a top-notch educational facility second to none, and I look forward to completion of yet another strong infrastructure project in Corner Brook, adding to the hundreds of millions invested in the region over the past few years.”

Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future provides almost $102 million for new and ongoing school infrastructure projects to meet the immediate and long-term demands in high growth areas, including $77 million for ongoing major capital projects. A list of major projects being funded this fiscal year, including the Corner Brook redevelopment, can be viewed in the backgrounder below.

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BACKGROUNDER
Budget 2013 Investment in Ongoing Infrastructure Projects

The aggressive investment made in K-12 infrastructure over the past nine years continues with Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future, which provides almost $102 million for new and ongoing school infrastructure projects to meet the immediate and long-term demands in high growth areas, while ensuring existing facilities throughout the province meet the needs of students and teachers in the 21st century.

This includes close to $77 million for ongoing major capital projects, such as:

• $18.3 million to begin construction of a new west end high school, St. John’s;
• $10 million to continue construction of the new St. Teresa’s school, St. John’s;
• $8 million to continue the extension and renovations at Roncalli Elementary, St. John’s;
• $6.6 million to redevelop the former Regina High, Corner Brook;
• $4.6 million to continue construction of a new school, St. Anthony;
• $4.2 million to begin work on the second phase of redevelopment at Exploits Valley High, Grand Falls-Windsor;
• $4 million to begin design and site work for the new Virginia Park Elementary, St. John’s;
• $3.9 million to begin the reconstruction of William Gillett Academy, Charlottetown, Labrador;
• $3.7 million to continue construction of a new school, Carbonear;
• $3 million for further design and planning and potential site acquisition for a new school, Torbay;
• $3 million for further planning, design and potential site acquisition for a new school, Conception Bay South;
• $3 million for further planning, design and potential site acquisition for a new school, Paradise;
• $3 million for further planning, design and potential site acquisition of a new school, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s;
• $300,000 to complete an extension and renovations at Holy Spirit High, Conception Bay South; and,
• $1.4 million to finalize work on several projects throughout the province.

Since 2004, about $620 million has been allocated for school infrastructure throughout the province. Nine new schools have opened; 10 more are in various stages of planning or construction; 12 major extension and renovation projects have been completed, and eight more are underway or in the planning stages. This also includes more than 1,850 repairs and maintenance projects, including new roofs, windows, siding, electrical upgrades, and more approved for schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

2013 04 26                             11:15 a.m.