The ground was officially broken today on the $4.8 million replacement for West Royalty Elementary School which will provide a state-of-the-art learning and teaching environment for students and teachers. Honourable Chester Gillan, Minister of Education; Honourable Don MacKinnon, MLA for Winsloe-West Royalty; and students Katie Hughes and Matthew Angus turned the ceremonial shovel at the 18-acres site of the new school, off the Lower Malpeque Road in West Royalty.
Students, teachers, parents, and representatives of the Eastern School District, Home and School, and the School Construction Advisory Committee also participated in the ground breaking ceremony for the school.
"Construction of a new school in West Royalty demonstrates Government's long-term commitment to improving learning in PEI and our support for a strong public education system and vibrant communities," said Minister Gillan. "Building new classrooms and enhancing classroom resources will improve learning opportunities for Island children."
Currently, there are 163 students at West Royalty Elementary School. The new school will serve approximately 450 students from West Royalty, Winsloe, Orchard Hill and Lewis Point.
Minister Gillan emphasized that the new West Royalty school will have modern facilities which will enable students and teachers to learn in a healthy, comfortable environment.
Plans for the new school include 18 classrooms; a multi-purpose room and stage; a resource centre; a computer lab; a French room; a music room; conference and meeting rooms; a special education room; a student services room; a new gymnasium; administration offices and a teacher's lounge; miscellaneous storage areas; mechanical, electrical, data and audio visual rooms; a softball diamond; a soccer field, and the school will be barrier free.
MLA Don MacKinnon commended members of the West Royalty School Construction Advisory Committee for their hard work and continuing support for the new school. "Construction of a new school ends years of uncertainty for West Royalty residents regarding the future of our school. A new school will be a most welcome addition in our rapidly growing community," said MacKinnon. "Community residents will be very pleased to have access to new school facilities and sport facilities after school hours."
Completion of the new West Royalty Elementary School is slated for February 2000. The architect for the construction project is Bergmark, Guimond, Hammarlund and Jones Architects, and the general contractor is Schurman Construction.
Construction of the new West Royalty Elementary School is one of several Island schools to be constructed or renovated under the Government's $35 million Capital Construction Plan for schools. The plan is a multi-year strategy that will enhance the infrastructure of 10 Island schools, and provide for the on-going capital maintenance of all schools in PEI.