Community asked to name new school

The new K-8 School in Miramichi West is due to open in September. The public is asked to suggest a name

The new K-8 school is slated to open in September 2016.  The Miramichi West school will replace Harkins Elementary and Middle Schools, as well as Croft.

The public is being asked to propose a name for the new school.

Proposals can be dropped off at either of the three schools mentioned, or the district office on Henderson Street.   The deadline is February 22nd.

Submissions should be dropped off in a sealed envelope, and be accompanied by a letter supporting the reasons for the chosen name.

The location of the school, adjacent to Croft Elementary, was announced in August 2014.

Then Minister of Human Resources, Miramichi MLA Robert Trevors, said the new Miramichi West school will be a modern, inclusive facility where all students will make great progress on their journey to reach their full potential. "This project is an example of our government's commitment to put New Brunswickers first with a stronger education system for our children."

The school is being designed to house 500 students on a 3.3-hectare (23 acre) site. Construction will begin in April, 2015 and conclude in the summer of 2016. Croft Elementary School will remain open for the duration of the project. The new school will accommodate students from Croft Elementary School, Harkins Elementary School and Harkins Middle School, all of which will close once the new schools is operational.

Trevors said the new school will be one of the most modern buildings in New Brunswick, along the same design of new schools recently constructed in Moncton. The newer schools in New Brunswick are built on a template, and have some neat work areas in them, project rooms, nice gymnasiums, and are great facilities for community events. Trevors said the same design firms are involved in the Miramichi school.

Trevors said the Harkins buildings will become the property of DTI, and hopefully someone will come along and make good use of those buildings that have some historic and sentimental value in the community.

The Minister said he also spoke with people who live in the area, and he says the residents are at ease with the increased bus traffic.

The following summer a new school to replace Ian Baillie and St. Andrews was announced, and will be built on King Street.