Released on September 28, 2000
Students in Pinehouse and area have much to celebrate today. A sod turningceremony was held to kick off construction of a new K-5 elementary school in
Pinehouse.
"The Community School will serve as a central gathering place for young
students and community members with an Elder's Room and counselling areas,"
Education Minister Jim Melenchuk said. "The Northern Lights School Division,
community members and the provincial government all recognize the importance of
this new school for students in this area."
Community Schools build strong relationships with families and organizations
and work closely with the community to help ensure students have the supports
needed to succeed in school.
"The existing facility has served Pinehouse students very well. However, the
time has come to provide a more comfortable and modern educational facility for
the youngest students in this vibrant and growing community," Melenchuk added.
Saskatchewan Education and the school division will share the cost of the new
school. The total estimated cost of construction is $5.2 million. The
government will contribute an estimated $4.2 million.
The 2000-2001 Provincial Budget contains $29.2 million in financial support for
school capital projects. This includes $5 million from the government's new
Centenary Fund.
"This project demonstrates the government's commitment to work with school
divisions to provide students with comfortable and well-equipped learning
facilities," Melenchuk said. The construction of this new school is another
step toward achieving our goal of addressing our highest-priority school
projects."
The grades 6 - 12 students will continue to use the existing school facility.
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For more information, contact:
Cal Kirby
Saskatchewan Education
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-6040