K-5 Sod Turning. Committee grateful

Bowes remarks at school sod turning that committee is grateful to still be involved as school moves forward.

On Friday afternoon a crowd gathered on King Street in "White's Field" for the official sod turning that marks the beginning of construction for the new K-5 school that will replace Ian Baillie and St. Andrews Elementary.

Minister Bill Fraser was on hand and he complimented the hard work of the Building a Future for Our Children Committee, lead by Eileen Bowes.  Fraser also said the new school would feature a turf field.

Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, Serge Rousselle, was also on hand and said the new school was going to one of the first in Canada built to new green construction specs and would be a highly efficient t building.  Among other things, the school will feature a double gym, library, cafeteria.  Rouselle joked that the turf field was not on his list.

When the plans for the school were unveiled earlier this year, the Deputy Mayor John Foran also said that council would soon be considering contributing money toward the turf field.

Eileen Bowes spoke at the sod turning, and compliments Bill Fraser who supported the group's efforts for a new school from the beginning, and also Rousselle whom she said bought into the idea after his first trip to Miramichi to see the state of the existing schools.

Bowes said that she understands she has been recognized a lot, but said the praise needs to be spread around to all the people who supported the committee in its efforts for a new school.

"We are here to celebrate the groundbreaking for a much needed new school," Bowes said.  "We started this project 5 years ago, and the announcement of the new school in 2014 was thrilling a tremendous first step.  The announcement of the plans and the site selection were also great steps.  But today is what we have been waiting for.  To see equipment and ground work being started is wonderful.  It is a huge step in project that will benefit so many families for years to come in Miramichi east.   We look forward with great anticipation for the completion of this project and for the first students to enter this school in the fall of 2017.  And we as a community and a committee continue to work on projects to make this school a place where the community can gather for many different kinds of events.  I want to extend our thanks to Ministers Fraser and Rousselle.  Bill never missed a meeting, and Mr. Rousselle heard our message on the first visit he made here."

Bowes also thanks everyone for allowing the committee to continue to be part of the progress and have input as the school moves forward.

Press Release:  

A sod-turning ceremony was held today to mark the official start of construction of a new kindergarten to Grade 5 anglophone school in Miramichi.

";Our government is proud to invest in new schools in the Miramichi region to ensure local children will continue to thrive in a safe and healthy learning environment," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Serge Rousselle.

The new school is expected to be completed in September 2017. Located on King Street, the facility will accommodate up to 400 students. It will replace Ian Baillie Primary School, built in 1959, and St. Andrews Elementary School, built in 1963.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $18.1 million, including about $11.4 million in 2016-17 for the construction work.

The school will have 21 classrooms, music and art rooms, project work areas, a gymnasium, a multi-purpose room and a library, as well as administration offices and storage facilities.

"All new educational facilities are designed, constructed and operated to be high-performance buildings based on best practice design and construction principles," said Rousselle. The new school in Miramichi will be built in accordance with the provincial government's Green Building Policy.

The project falls within the framework of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development's capital budget. In 2016-17, the provincial government will invest $108.6 million in infrastructure and improvements for schools.