Released on June 2, 2005
La Loche area residents celebrated the renovations and addition to La Loche Community School with a sod-turning ceremony today.Saskatchewan Learning will contribute approximately $8 million to fund renovations and an addition to the school facility. The total cost of the project is $8.6 million and will be cost-shared with the Northern Lights School Division.
"When we invest in capital projects for education, we are investing in our students and in the future of Saskatchewan," Learning Minister Andrew Thomson said. "The high school building of La Loche Community School has served the community well for many years, but the time has come to provide a more modern and spacious education facility."
The project will entail renovations to the existing school as well as an addition. The addition will include new classrooms and expanded performing arts and lab facilities. The renovations will also provide space for community school initiatives, such as nutrition and clothing programs.
"The Northern Lights School Division has been working very closely with its local stakeholders in the design and architectural phase of the project. We were delighted to get the go-ahead from Saskatchewan Learning to begin the construction of this much-needed renovation and addition project," Northern Lights School Division Board Chair Tina Rasmussen said. "With the employment opportunities presenting themselves in the mining, forestry and oil sectors, this new project will be an important training facility for school-to-work transitioning opportunities now and in the future."
Northlands College will also be regaining its lost space in the high school. This arrangement will provide an educational centre for the community and provide a closer connection to post-secondary education for students at the high school.
"This newly expanded facility brings the high school and Northlands College together under one roof and provides community access to a full-spectrum secondary to post-secondary education program," Northlands College CEO Bill McLaughlin said. "We see the facility as a concrete opportunity to enhance the development of a seamless approach to education."
"This changed facility is sure to be welcome news for students, parents and teachers in the La Loche area," Northern Affairs Minister and Athabasca MLA Buckley Belanger said. "Having space in which to administer several community school programs will significantly improve the quality of services available to students."
"The government's contribution to this project demonstrates our commitment to all Saskatchewan students and will help the youth of the La Loche area in reaching their potential," Thomson added.
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