Released on December 6, 2012
Today Education Minister Russ Marchuk joined Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division Board Chair Diane Boyko along with students, teachers and dignitaries to commemorate the grand opening of the new $18.9 million St. Mary's School in Saskatoon.
"The continued investment into education and our education facilities is integral to the future of our province," Marchuk said. "We are familiar with the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child'. This school demonstrates that the involvement of the community can have a huge and lasting effect on our students and that fostering a community of learning has the potential to positively impact student success."
Designed with room for 375 students, this school features educational and instructional space, as well as a health and wellness centre that includes a medical clinic, which will be available to students and the community. Through donations from partners such as Potash Corp., Cameco, SaskTel and the City of Saskatoon, the school boasts an upper level walking track and an enhanced wellness and gym facility that will also be available to the broader community. A unique community room equipped with separate ventilation will allow for cultural, and First Nations and Métis specific cultural events and activities.
The Government of Saskatchewan contributed almost $12 million toward this innovative education facility.
"We are proud to open the doors of the St. Mary's Wellness and Education Centre as we continue our tradition of providing Catholic education to families and children in Pleasant Hill," Boyko said. "In recent years we have established many strong partnerships that help us more fully address the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical development of the students at St. Mary's. In this innovative new school, those partnerships will continue to flourish, as will our students."
Since November 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed approximately $500 million toward 41 major school capital projects and approximately 860 additional smaller school capital projects across the province. This represents a record high investment in school infrastructure.
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For more information, contact:
Leya Moore
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506