PRINCE ALBERT'S ST. MARY HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING

Released on September 24, 2004

Students, teachers, alumni and other special guests gathered at St. Mary High School in Prince Albert today to celebrate the completion of a $13.9 million expansion and renovation of their school. Saskatchewan Learning contributed $10 million to the project, with the balance coming from the Prince Albert Roman Catholic Separate School Division.

"This government's goal is to ensure all students receive a high-quality education and that they receive the supports required to succeed in school and in life. Capital projects such as this help us achieve excellence in our education system," Learning Minister Andrew Thomson said at the opening ceremonies. "This facility will help them achieve their potential."

"I am delighted to be celebrating the opening of the new St. Mary High School," Board of Education Chair Cindy Gee said. "Expanding and renovating the school has been a priority for a number of years. The old school served the community well for many years and now we can look forward to many more years of excellence in educational opportunities."

The three-story addition to St. Mary High School includes classrooms, a gymnasium, practical and applied arts space, child care and community school programming areas as well as a student commons area. The design features a central, two-storey atrium in the student commons area that serves as a corridor and student gathering place. The project also included renovations, restoration and upgrades for mechanical, electrical and other building systems to bring the existing building to current building codes. The high school was designed to reduce energy costs by at least 25 percent compared to traditional building design.

The school division has enhanced this facility by providing funds for a lecture/community theatre with a stage in the lower level of the new addition and a running/walking track on the mezzanine level of the new gym.

"I am pleased that the school division has provided extra funding for the community theatre and running track," Thomson said. "St. Mary is designated a community school and I commend the school division for ensuring that the school will be utilized by the larger community."

The new school will accommodate 940 students from grade nine to 12, and includes design features to allow for relocatable classrooms. The Prince Albert Roman Catholic Separate School Division recently approved grade restructuring to enable grade nine students to attend St. Mary High School. The restructuring will alleviate enrolment pressures at the elementary schools and will improve instructional programming at the elementary and high schools.

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For More Information, Contact:

Nelson Wagner Learning Regina Phone: (306)787-6040