Reconstruction of William Gillett Academy Tendered at $7.3 Million

Work is expected to begin shortly on the $7.3 million reconstruction of William Gillett Academy in Charlottetown Labrador, following the recent tender award to Brook Construction Inc., of Corner Brook.

“I am very pleased to see the construction phase of this project moving ahead,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education. “Students have been housed in newly-constructed, short-term classroom space, adjacent to the town’s recreation centre for the past year, as we moved through the demolition of the former school and the new design process. This tender award brings the reconstruction of William Gillett Academy one step closer to completion.”

The reconstruction includes an entirely new classroom and administrative section, complete with a skilled trades room/science lab; a resource centre/computer room; a home economics/lunchroom; a distance learning room, a special education/challenging needs rooms and more. The only part of the former K-12 school that will remain is the gymnasium section, which was built in 1993 and can continue to serve the needs of the approximately 50 students. The gymnasium section will, however, be upgraded and equipped with a new stage, which will double as a music room, as well as new curtains and lighting.

“This has been a rather unique project, in that the temporary classroom space built to accommodate students in the short term will be converted into a new town hall once the school reconstruction is completed,” said Minister Jackman. “We found a means to meet two needs in the community – a safe and modern school environment, and a municipal building to serve the needs of Charlottetown residents for many years to come.”

Minister Jackman noted the project is also unique in that the Provincial Government decided to go above and beyond a redevelopment of the former school, which had been recommended in an engineering assessment. Instead, funding was allocated to completely rebuild the aging classroom section, from the ground up, with all new materials, electrical, plumbing, and ventilations systems.

The target date for occupancy is September 2014.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709-729-0048, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca 

2013 09 10                   9:35 a.m.