Released on February 29, 2016
Today Education Minister Don Morgan joined students, teachers, members of the community and representatives from Regina Public Schools to celebrate the start of construction of École Connaught Community School. The government will contribute $22 million toward the project.
“Our government is pleased to celebrate the start of construction on a project that will respect the history of the previous school, while benefitting students and early learners in this community for years to come,” Morgan said. “I want to thank the school division and the entire community for their contributions and support throughout this process. This has helped us set the path for an even brighter future for the students, staff and families of École Connaught Community School.”
Many of the architectural components will reflect characteristics of the previous school, including the tyndall stone and brick at the front exterior of the building. On the interior, a history wall will be constructed using the original bricks from the former school and the doors and frames will be restored and reused. The 58,000 square foot school will be approximately 10,000 square feet larger than the previous school and will include 17 new classrooms, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, library and resource centre, two multipurpose rooms for student and community use, and a 51-space child care centre.
“Today we move forward in building a sustainable educational foundation for our students,” Regina Public Schools Chairperson Katherine Gagne said. “The rebuilding of École Connaught Community School demonstrates our commitment to our students, our staff and to our diverse and growing school communities.”
“Since September, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with the students, parents and community that will benefit from the new École Connaught Community School,” École Connaught Community School Principal Lori Daelick said. “I know the excitement and anticipation for the new school is palpable. We are eager to see the new building rise on the corner of Elphinstone and 13th.”
“I would like to thank the Government of Saskatchewan for supporting the expansion of our child care centre at École Connaught Community School,” Wise Owl Board of Directors Chair Jesse Covert-Ruttenberg said. “We are looking forward to providing young and growing families with much needed child care services, including infant and toddler spaces, upon our return to the Cathedral Village neighbourhood in Fall of 2017.”
For more information about the school design, please visit www.rbe.sk.ca/sites/default/files/connaught_community_boards.pdf.
Since 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed approximately $966 million toward 65 major school capital projects and numerous smaller projects such as relocatable classrooms and preventative maintenance and renewal.
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For more information, contact:
Stephanie Ali
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6304
Email: stephanie.ali@gov.sk.ca
Terry Lazarou
Regina Public Schools
Regina
Phone: 306-523-3133
Email: terry.lazarou@rbe.sk.ca