Montague High School students and staff have much to look forward to when they move into their new school next year.
The new $22 million facility is under construction on a 40 acre site on Wood Islands Hill next to the aquatic centre. It is expected to open in early 2010.
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Gerard Greenan says the new school will greatly enhance student learning and school life. “The construction planning committee is to be commended for the amazing work they are doing to create an environment that is so conducive to teaching and learning,” he said. “The whole Montague school community will benefit greatly from this contemporary and spacious new facility.”
Transportation and Public Works Minister Ron MacKinley said the construction of the school is on budget. “We are very pleased with the way the project has been developing so far,” he said. “We have adopted a construction management approach on the project that has allowed our department to tender smaller portions of the job on an as needed basis. That gives smaller contractors the opportunity to bid on jobs they might not have otherwise been able to take on.”
The new Montague High School was designed with energy efficiency and environmental friendliness in mind.
Following are some of the modern features in the new school:
• Classrooms and labs will have SmartBoards and accompanying technology to improve lesson presentation.
• Small breakout rooms with computer facilities will be located between classrooms for small group work.
• Two classrooms are joined by a folding wall that can fold back to create a large meeting space.
• There will be four modern science labs with safe prep and chemical storage areas, two computer labs, and a food and clothing lab.
• A large library and resource centre will have an adjoining seminar room and meeting space for teachers who are working with small groups.
• The cafetorium will feature a large stage, prop area, sound and lighting room.
• There will be a spacious band and music room, a music library and listening room, five practice rooms, and a sound studio.
• Trades training will be improved by large and well-equipped spaces for carpentry, welding, motor vehicle repair and applied technology.
• Physical education will benefit from a 7,400 square-foot gymnasium and auxiliary gym, along with several new playing fields.
• Student safety will be optimized through a new entrance off the Valleyfield Road which will have appropriate turning lanes and ample parking space.