Transportation and Works
August 17, 2015

Improving Community School Infrastructure

Provincial Government Begins Planning for K-12 Infrastructure Projects

Recognizing key areas of growth of communities and families, the Provincial Government is committed to building modern infrastructure which meets the needs of today’s students and educators. To that end, a Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued to hire consultants to begin planning for various K-12 infrastructure projects as announced in Budget 2015 for the communities of Paradise, Witless Bay/Mobile, Shoal Harbour and Conception Bay South.

“These projects are part of our government’s long-term vision to invest in school infrastructure to meet the needs of communities and families across the province well into the future. Supporting our Provincial Growth Strategy, more than $660 million has been allocated this year for various infrastructure sectors, including education, that will strengthen communities, support economic activity and create long-term prosperity for the province.”
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works

The projects included in the RFP are:

• Construction of a new middle school for the Witless Bay/Mobile area;
• Construction of a new high school and new middle school for Paradise;
• Extensions and renovations to Riverside Elementary School in Shoal Harbour; and
• Extension to Villanova Junior High School in Conception Bay South.

The RFP is the first step in the planning process for these projects and will help address the growing student population in these areas and support family-friendly communities, complementing the Provincial Government’s new Population Growth Strategy.

“Our government has a long-term plan to make strategic investments to deliver and advance a high-quality education system. These investments encourage economic growth which drives positive change and helps to build strong communities. Since 2004 we have invested over $731 million in K-12 infrastructure to ensure students and teachers continue to have access to safe and modern learning environments.”
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

To support the multi-year education infrastructure development plan, over $95 million is allocated through Budget 2015 for K-12 infrastructure.

“The announcement of this RFP is a tangible step towards the construction of these important school infrastructure projects and is great news for the students and families of these school communities. In these areas we have increasing infrastructure needs and the commitment of the Provincial Government to support the recommendations of the Board of Trustees to undertake these school projects is greatly appreciated.”
- Milton Peach, Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador English School Board

Since 2004, the Provincial Government has allocated more than $731 million in K-12 infrastructure to ensure students and teachers continue to enjoy safe and healthy learning environments. Fourteen new schools have been opened; 11 more are in various stages of planning or construction; 27 major extension and renovation projects have been completed, with 13 more underway; and approximately 1,930 repairs and maintenance projects have been approved.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government is issuing an RFP to begin the planning for various K-12 infrastructure projects as announced in Budget 2015 for the communities of Paradise, Witless Bay/Mobile, Shoal Harbour and Conception Bay South.
• The projects are a new middle school and high school in Paradise, a new middle school for the Witless Bay/Mobile area, extensions and renovations to Riverside Elementary in Shoal Harbour and an extension to Villanova Junior High School in Conception Bay South.
• The RFP is the first step in the planning process for these projects and will help address a growing population in these areas.
• To support the multi-year education infrastructure development plan, over $95 million is allocated through Budget 2015 for K-12 infrastructure.

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Media contacts:

Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 689-2624 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca	Blair Medd Director of Communications Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-0048, 631-8465 blairmedd@gov.nl.ca
Ken Morrissey Director of Communications Newfoundland and Labrador English School District 709-758-2371, 730-0798 kenmorrissey@nlesd.ca

2015 08 17                              3:10 p.m.