Transportation and Works
Education and Early Childhood Development
October 30, 2015

Improving Community School Infrastructure

Multiple School Projects Progressing With Recent Tender Awards

Planning and design work for five school projects will get underway with the conclusion of a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued this past August. The Provincial Government has awarded four contracts, valued in total at approximately $4.7 million, for various K-12 infrastructure projects for the communities of Paradise, Witless Bay/Mobile, Shoal Harbour and Conception Bay South.

"The successful conclusion of the RFP for the planning and design of five school projects is an important step forward, following the commitment made in Budget 2015 to provide new and enhanced schools for the communities of Paradise, Witless Bay/Mobile, Shoal Harbour and Conception Bay South. These important projects are part of our government's long-term vision to invest in school infrastructure for communities and families across the province."
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works

The contracts for the planning and design of the school projects are:

• Paradise and Witless Bay/Mobile area: new middle schools - awarded to Architecture 49 Inc., valued at $1.9 million
• Paradise: new high school - awarded to Stantec Architecture Ltd., valued at $1.6 million
• Shoal Harbour, Riverside Elementary: classroom extension and renovation - awarded to SNC Lavalin Inc., valued at $644,500
• Conception Bay South: extension to Villanova Junior High School - awarded to Fougere Menchenton Architecture., valued at $552,900

"Through Budget 2015, we announced these school projects as part of our multi-year K-12 infrastructure development plan that proactively prepares for projected student growth. I am pleased to see the projects moving forward in these growing communities. These are investments in our students, their families and the long-term sustainability of Newfoundland and Labrador."
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

The school projects for Paradise, Shoal Harbour, Witless Bay/Mobile and Conception Bay South will help address the growing student population in these areas and support family-friendly communities, complementing the Provincial Government's Population Growth Strategy.

"Improved school infrastructure assists the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District to meet the expectations of school communities by providing enhanced facilities where our staff can prepare all students to achieve to their fullest potential in a safe and caring learning environment. We are pleased to see the Provincial Government continue to support the long-term infrastructure plan recommended by the Board of Trustees and are eager to see the benefits that will come from this investment in our school communities."
- Milton Peach, Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador English School Board

To support the multi-year education infrastructure development plan, the Provincial Government has allocated over $95 million through Budget 2015 for K-12 school projects.

QUICK FACTS

• Contracts have been awarded for the planning and design of five school projects as the result of the completion of a successful Request for Proposals.
• Planning and design work will get underway for a new middle school in the Witless Bay/Mobile area, a new high school and middle school for Paradise, extensions and renovations to Riverside Elementary School in Shoal Harbour and an extension to Villanova Junior High School in Conception Bay South.
• Since 2004, the Provincial Government has allocated more than $731 million in K-12 infrastructure. Fifteen new schools have been opened; 10 more are in various stages of planning or construction; 31 major extension and renovation projects have been completed, with 12 more underway; and approximately 1,930 repairs and maintenance projects approved.

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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 School District 709-758-2371, 730-0798 kenmorrissey@nlesd.ca

2015 10 30                              3:55 p.m.