Education and Early Childhood Development
Transportation and Works
October 29, 2015

Building Modern Learning Communities

Provincial Government Awards $7.2 Million Contract for Extension and Renovations to St. Peter's Junior High

A contract for $7.2 million has been awarded for an extension and renovations to St. Peter's Junior High in Mount Pearl. Once construction is complete, the school will be able to accommodate approximately 780 students and help to meet the needs of the growing student population in the area.

"Our government is committed to ensuring our students have modern learning environments through strategic investments in school infrastructure. The extension and renovations to St. Peter's Junior High are a part of our multi-year K-12 infrastructure plan that helps address student population growth in the City of Mount Pearl and surrounding region. This project will also ensure these students will have an improved larger school where they can learn and reach their full potential."
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

First Canadian Group Ltd. has been awarded the contract to extend and renovate St. Peter's Junior High. The project will include a new gymnasium, renovating the existing gymnasium into a cafeteria, kitchen and classroom space, extending and modifying the parking lot, as well as replacing windows. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2017.

"Our government has an aggressive infrastructure plan that is not only resulting in enhanced school facilities, but improvements to roads, health care facilities and municipal infrastructure projects. Investments in infrastructure development support communities and families across the province, reflecting the goals of our Population Growth Strategy and help to grow our economy."
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works

As part of the multi-year education infrastructure development plan, over $95 million is allocated through Budget 2015 for K-12 infrastructure to address short and longer-term provincial needs.

"I am excited about this investment in St. Peter's Junior High. It's good news for the many families whose children will benefit from the improved facilities. In addition to the new learning environment, I am particularly pleased with the new gymnasium, which will help students live more active lives. I have been advocating for these improvements for my old alma mater, and look forward to the completion of the project."
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, MHA for Mount Pearl North

This year more than $73 million is allocated to new and ongoing school construction, extension/renovation projects, modular classrooms to increase capacity in growth areas and full day Kindergarten implementation, Labrador teacher housing and capacity planning in Conception Bay South. In addition to that, approximately $22 million is allocated to repairs and maintenance at K-12 facilities including renovations for full day Kindergarten.

"In a fast-growing region of our province, a continued investment in education not only benefits our teachers, parents and guardians, but, most importantly, it benefits our students and their futures. Today's announcement as part of the multi-year K-12 infrastructure plan is certainly a great step forward to a revitalized facility for students and staff of St. Peter's Junior High. "
- Milton Peach, Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador English School Board

Since 2004, 15 new schools have been completed, 10 more are in various stages of planning or construction, 31 major extensions and renovation projects have been completed, and 9 more are underway.

QUICK FACTS

• A contract worth $7.2 million for an extension and renovations to St. Peter's Junior High in Mount Pearl has been awarded to First Canadian Group Ltd.
• The project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2017, will enable the school to accommodate approximately 780 students.
• As part of the multi-year education infrastructure development plan, over $95 million is allocated through Budget 2015 for K-12 infrastructure to address short and longer-term provincial needs.
• This year more than $73 million is allocated to new and ongoing school construction, extension/renovation projects, modular classrooms to increase capacity in growth areas and for full day Kindergarten implementation, Labrador teacher housing and capacity planning in Conception Bay South. Approximately $22 million is allocated to repairs and maintenance at K-12 facilities including renovations for full day Kindergarten.
• This funding will build on the already unprecedented level of investment over the past decade that has seen 15 new schools completed, 10 more in various stages of planning or construction,31 major extensions and renovation projects completed, and 9 more underway.

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Media contacts:

Blair Medd Director of Communications Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 729-0048, 631-8465 blairmedd@gov.nl.ca	Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 689-2624 JacquelynHoward@gov.nl.ca
Ken Morrissey Director of Communications Newfoundland and Labrador English School District 709-758-2371, 730-0798 kenmorrissey@nlesd.ca	Angela Connolly Constituency Assistant to the Honourable Steve Kent MHA for Mount Pearl North 709-729-1526 angelaconnolly@gov.nl.ca

2015 10 29                              3:55 p.m.